Penn State's Beachum out against Eastern Michigan

Running back Brandon Beachum will not play against Eastern Michigan on Saturday after spraining his right foot at practice this week, Penn State confirmed on Friday. The Daily Collegian, Penn State's independent student newspaper, first reported the news on Thursday.

Beachum, Penn State's primary back up to Silas Redd, could be available for next week's Big Ten opener at Indiana.

According to the report from The Daily Collegian, a teammate fell on Beachum's foot during a goal-line drill at practice on Tuesday. The junior saw the doctors after practice and it was confirmed he had a sprain. No bones were broken.

Through three games, Beachum has rushed for 81 yards on 21 carries (3.9 yards per carry). With his absence, Curtis Dukes could see an increased role behind Redd, who has 255 yards on 50 carries and four touchdowns in his first three career starts.

Dukes played in the Nittany Lions' season-opening blowout of Indiana State and carried the ball six times for 47 yards (7.8 yards per carry).

"Dukes' problem is not when he's got the ball," coach Joe Paterno said on Tuesday. "He did not play in a great, tough competitive league. And he doesn't block real well yet. And he makes some mental mistakes in the non‑running game, pass protection, things like that. But he's getting better. He's getting better."

Stephfon Green does not appear to be an option out of the backfield as of yet. Paterno said on Tuesday that he was going to let Green come out for practice but said the running back would not play "this week or next week." Green was not with the team after he was charged with furnishing alcohol to minors on Sept. 8.

--Jake Kaplan