Penn State football lost its starting right tackle on the second play of the game today.

Sophomore Anthony Donkoh, who has battled injury issues much of the season, had to be helped off the field and went into the sideline injury tent after a second-down pass completion.

The Nittany Lions (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) then were stopped on third down-and-inches without Donkoh on a Tyler Warren wildcat quarterback run. It was a tough start for the Lions' Saturday adventure against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-4, 4-3), one of the Big Ten's most unpredictable and dangerous teams.

The Golden Gophers led 7-0 midway through the first quarter.

Donkoh was first injured in the early-October comeback victory at USC. He was hurt again a couple of weeks later at Wisconsin, leaving the game and not returning. He played sparingly against Ohio State before returning full-time in the White Out victory over Washington.

Donkoh appeared to injure his right knee while blocking on Penn State's second play of the game. He was eventually carted into the locker room after spending a few minutes on the sideline.

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Penn State will go with transfer junior Nolan Rucci at right tackle. Rucci has played big minutes throughout the season, though more so in the beginning games.

Rucci, a former five-star recruiting prospect from Warwick High, played just three games last year at Wisconsin before transferring.

Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Anthony Donkoh update: Penn State football tackle injured vs Minnesota