Penn State Football Injury Update: Kaden Saunders Back at Practice

WR Kaden Saunders Back at Practice, ‘Hopeful’ to Play Week 1, Says James Franklin

Penn State football wide receiver Kaden Saunders is back at practice and "hopeful" to play in the team's season opener against Purdue on September 1, head coach James Franklin said on Monday.

Saunders, a 6-foot-3, 201-pound sophomore, suffered a lower-body injury in the team's Blue-White game in April. He missed all of spring practice and was limited in the early part of preseason camp.

Franklin said Saunders is "progressing well" and that he is "optimistic" that he will be able to play in the season opener.

Saunders' Return is a Boost for Penn State's Offense

Saunders is a key piece of Penn State's offense. He caught 26 passes for 355 yards and two touchdowns last season.

His return gives quarterback Sean Clifford another weapon to work with in the passing game.

• In 2021, Saunders averaged 13.7 yards per reception.
• He had a long reception of 43 yards.
• He caught two touchdown passes.

With Saunders back in the lineup, Penn State's offense is expected to be more explosive in 2022.