Penn State linebacker Ben Kline suffers torn achilles

By Andrew Coppens | Jun 25, 2014

Nov 2, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Ben Kline (38) during the third quarter against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Illinois 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /

As Penn State moves in to the first season of the James Franklin era, one thing has been emphasized more than any other—health. On Tuesday it appears that Franklin has a health concern on his hands before the season even started as linebacker Ben Kline reportedly suffered a torn achilles, per Blue White Illustrated.

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Penn State is still under heavy roster limitations for the next few years as a result of NCAA sanctions in the Jerry Sandusky case. It can field no more than 75 scholarship players this upcoming season, which is 10 less than every other FBS team.

So, losing a scholarship player isn’t exactly ideal, but it’s extra hurtful considering Kline was in the running to be one of the starting linebackers for the Nittany Lions.

This isn’t the first major injury for the redshirt junior either, as Kline also suffered a torn pectoral muscle near the end of last season. He recovered from that injury and was in line to potentially be named a starter before this latest injury.

It’s also a blow at a position that is pretty wide open heading in to Franklin’s first year at the helm and the most high-profile position at Penn State. PSU is likely to lean even more heavily on the likes of Mike Hull, Nyeem Wartman, Gary Wooten and Brandon Bell.

The problem is, outside of Hull all of the other options available are pretty inexperienced. Wartman, Wooten and Bell have combined for just 62 career tackles, while Hull had 78 tackles to his name in 2013.

It all adds up to a Penn State team that needs to make every scholarship count—especially as they compete with the likes of Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State in the Big Ten East division.

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