Penn State Depth Chart and Injury Report Versus Army: If It Ain't Broke...

In an earlier edition of this column, I called James Franklin a troll. I stand by that today, and upgrade it to Master Troll. Let me explain.

Despite a rash of injuries both leading up to and during last Saturday's win over San Diego State, the Penn State depth chart remains exactly the same this week as it was during the previous one. Akeel Lynch, Saquon Barkley, Brandon Bell, Andrew Nelson, Jordan Lucas, and Marcus Allen, all of whom either didn't play or sustained injuries in some capacity last week, are listed right where they were. Presumably we will hear nothing about their availability until gametime Saturday.

As frustrating as this may make the life of, say, someone writing a post centered around the depth chart and its impact on the upcoming game, it's a smart move on Franklin's part. He has no reason to show his hand at any point. Giving the opposing team more information on your strategy is bad. That's a pretty simple concept. There's no required disclosure of an injury report, and using that to hurt an opponent's ability to gameplan is not really gamesmanship, it's smart. You might think you have a right to know what's going on as a donor or alumnus or fan or whatever, but you don't. Franklin's job is to put the team in the best position to win, and this helps that.

On the bright side, Adam Breneman is alive! He's still not on the depth chart, but hopefully his recovery from injury (seemingly the reason he's missing time now) is going well. Get well soon Adam, we miss watching you make fools of outside linebackers attempting to cover you.

I appreciate the constant support from teammates and PSU family. I'm working my hardest to be back on the field with my brothers soon #WEARE

— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) September 21, 2015

Still, if the players listed above, along with one or two others who have had nagging injuries, don't start the game, receive limited time, or don't play at all, don't be too surprised. It's Army, at home, the week before taking on a good Indiana squad for homecoming. The coaching staff and players will want as much of the team at 100% as possible heading in to the teeth of the Big Ten schedule, especially after being embarassed by Northwestern on homecoming last season.

Never stop going in, Jimmy.