Washington done for year; Porter, Fashanu could return, but should they?

ALTOONA, Pa. -- There was really no doubt about Parker Washington's status, and James Franklin confirmed it Tuesday afternoon.

"Parker will be done for the season," Franklin said.

Washington didn't play Saturday at Rutgers, after he apparently suffered a significant injury last week. There has been widepsread speculation about Washington's injury on social media, and while nothing has been confirmed, it had become clear to those who follow the program closely that he would not be able to return this season.

The sophomore finished with 46 catches for 611 yards and two TDs in 10 games. He entered the season as Penn State's No. 1 receiver, and while Mitchell Tinsley had an opportunity to take over that role, it indeed was Washington who stood out most. He had 179 yards and one TD on 11 catches against Ohio State to highlight his season.

Washington is eligible to enter the NFL draft, and he's projected to be a third-round pick by NFL Mock Draft Database. However, with this injury, it would be a bigger gamble for him to enter the draft, and he could help his stock by coming back to Penn State and enjoying a big season.

WHAT ABOUT PORTER, FASHANU?

Here's where things get interesting for the Nittany Lions and their two projected first-round draft picks.

Franklin said once again that he expects to have left tackle Olu Fashanu and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. back this season.

"Olu Fashanu we expect back. When that is, we'll see," the coach said. "Hopefully this weekend we'll see how that plays out. And same thing with Joey Porter."

But at this stage, why would those two even want to play another college game?

There's only one regular-season game left, then the bowl game. It wouldn't make any sense, really, for either to play in the bowl game given their draft stock. Porter is ranked as the No. 12 draft prospect, while Fashanu is ranked 22nd.

The way the trend is going in college football, more and more players in that position are opting to skip bowl games. We don't know for sure if either player will indeed declare early for the draft, but if they've already made up their minds, then there's nothing else they can prove in college.

Porter is coming back from appendicitis and has missed the past two games. Fashanu's injury hasn't been disclosed, and he's missed the past three games.

At this point, with only one game left and both having missed multiple games, why would either risk coming back to play in just one more contest?

If you were in their shoes, would you try to come back to play one more game? Post your answers in comments.

FESTIVE MOOD

Franklin was in a great mood Tuesday and was asking reporters about their Thanksgiving food preferences. He came up with a lot of good choices to pick from, and Mark Brennan from Lions247 with Fight On State did a marvelous job editing all of the questions into this video: