Michigan State Football Releases Injury Report vs. Penn State

On Saturday, Michigan State football squares off against Penn State. The Spartans (3-6, 0-6 Big Ten) face the Nittany Lions (3-6, 0-6 Big Ten) in a battle of two of the three winless Big Ten schools. That said, Penn State has lost five of their six Big Ten games by one possession.

In a battle of remaining alive for bowl eligibility, every player available matters.

Who is out for Michigan State football in their final home game of the year?

Alante Brown, WR/Kick Returner

Brown remains out for Senior Day festivities in his final home game at Spartan Stadium. The senior had his best outing against the Boston College Eagles, with huge kick returns. However, a pre-game lower body injury in week three has the receiver out.

Nikai Martinez, S

Nikai Martinez will not be playing on his own Senior Day. The senior defensive back has struggled with injuries this year, with the Minnesota game being his fourth contest played in nine games. If this injury is long term, the true senior is eligible for a redshirt.

Aidan Chiles, QB

The starting quarterback for MSU through their first 8 games is out today. Aidan Chiles played one snap against Minnesota, a handoff to Brandon Tullis, but will not be playing today. Chiles was already announced as QB2, and now it becomes likely that true freshman Leo Hannan is his replacement as backup to Alessio Milivojevic.

Marcellius Pulliam, LB

Pulliam stepped up against USC in week four, but apparently suffered an injury during that game and has not dressed for any ensuing game. Pulliam would be able to redshirt if he misses the last two games of the season.

Ade Willie, DB

Willie was another senior scheduled to participate in his final home game, but he will not be playing this game. The starting nickel has missed every game since week four against USC. Much like Pulliam, the defensive back is eligible to redshirt if he misses the remainder of the year.

Chance Rucker, DB

Rucker is out for the first time this season. The sophomore defensive back has been a rotational piece, playing half a dozen snaps on average. He had one start this year. However, the Texas native will not be playing against Penn State. That gives freshman Aydan West and seniors Joshua Eaton and Malcolm Bell more snaps.

Jayden Savoury, TE

Savoury remains out for the fifth game in a row. The freshman tight end played four contests in the middle of the season, but appeared on an injury report prior to the UCLA game and has not played since. Once again, it is worth mentioning that he can redshirt if he misses the next two games. With Savoury being a freshman off an injury, that might be the wise move, to allow Jack Velling to expend his final few games of eligibility.

Tarik Ahmetbasic, K

Ahmetbasic has not dressed for a game this year, with the sophomore’s last injury update coming before week 3. With freshman Martin Connington winning the job, Ahmetbasic has not been pushed to return. That said, Connington had two misses that led to an overtime game against Minnesota last time out.

Kaden Schickel, LS

Schickel, much like Ahmetbasic, has yet to dress this season. Schickel suffered an ACL injury last October against Michigan. Freshman Jack Wills has done an admirable job stepping up, and Schickel has not returned to the field since. With the addition of a long snapper to the Michigan State football recruiting class, all signs indicate that the plan is to be without Schickel in 2026.

Ben Roberts, DT

Roberts suffered an injury four snaps into the Michigan contest and was later ruled “doubtful” for the Minnesota contest. Evidently, his injury was worse than initially thought, as he misses his third game of the season, joining the UCLA contest. This likely gives senior Grady Kelly a start on his Senior Day.

Stanton Ramil, OT

Ramil gave it a go against Michigan last home game, but ultimately shut it down before half. He had the bye week to heal, but will not be playing today. This likely slots Rustin Young in at starter again. Ramil has suffered through multiple injuries in his third campaign, which has not made the quarterback’s life easier.

Kristian Phillips, OG

Phillips suffered a leg injury against UCLA and has not returned to action since. Now, he is out another week. Phillips is the fourth starting lineman to go down for the Spartans, joining Ramil, Ashton Lepo, and Luka Vincic.

Brennan Parachek, TE

Parachek also suffered an injury during the Nebraska game like fellow tight end Jayden Savoury, and remains out for this contest. Parachek also missed the season-opening Western Michigan game with injury. As a result, he is a player that the staff can consider redshirting, much like Savoury, Pulliam, and Willie.

Who is back for Michigan State football this week?

Makhi Frazier, HB

Frazier is back for the Spartans after missing the Minnesota contest with injury. Elijah Tau-Tolliver performed admirably in his place, with the senior rushing for a Spartan season-high 127 yards. Frazier was a player head coach Jonathan Smith was optimistic about earlier in the week, and that faith is correct. The Texas native is back for the green and white.

Chrishon McCray, WR

McCray is among those returning after missing the Minnesota game. Much like Frazier, a senior stepped up in his absence, with Rod Bullard putting up 102 yards and a touchdown against the Gophers. McCray will also be a needed bolster to the kick return unit, as Bryson Williams was back returning kicks as a true freshman last game out.

Ru’Quan Buckley, DL

Buckley returns for his Senior Day. The senior saw an uptick in playing time after Grady Kelly (paternity) missed the Indiana contest, and Ben Roberts missing most of the Michigan game. Now, he returns to the lineup for his last Spartan Stadium game.

Out For the Season

No new names are added to the list of the Spartans out for the year. That said, MSU is still down five names until 2026.

• Caleb Gash, DB (1 game played)
• Brady Pretzlaff, LB (3 games played)
• Ashton Lepo, OL (4 games played)
• Anelu Lafaele, EDGE (5 games played)
• Luka Vincic, OL (2 games played)
• Andrew Brinson IV, DB (0 games played)

The Spartans will be kicking off at 3:40 p.m. EST. Senior Day festivities will be taking place at 3:15 p.m. EST.