Penn State DE Abdul Carter leaves Fiesta Bowl due to injury. Here’s what James Franklin said
Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter left Tuesday’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal in the first half, with his left arm by his side, and did not return — but James Franklin said after the game it’s too soon to know the extent of Carter’s injury.
After a dominating 31-14 win over Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, one punctuated by limiting Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty to a season-low 104 rushing yards, Franklin acknowledged he didn’t have many answers involving Carter’s availability for the next game. The Nittany Lions will next play in the CFP semifinals on Jan. 9.
“With Abdul, I don’t know a whole lot,” Franklin said at his postgame press conference. “We’ll get that checked out and see. Obviously, No. 1, the safety and health and welfare of our guys is priority No. 1. But then, I know Abdul will want to play next week and he’ll do everything in his power to play next week, if he’s able to. We’ll find out more. I don’t have a whole lot more information than that.”
Carter exited the game with a little more than 10 minutes left in the second quarter. He went inside the medical tent and was seen on the sideline, but did not re-enter the game.
Carter, who has been dominant all season for the Nittany Lions, is widely projected to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft if he declares for it. He is the No. 2 prospect on ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s Big Board, and he has 11 sacks this season to lead the team.
His status will be important as Penn State prepares for a College Football Playoff semifinal matchup in the Orange Bowl. The Nittany Lions will play the winner of the Sugar Bowl — Georgia or Notre Dame — on Thursday, Dec. 9 in Miami.
