Penn football senior running back Julien Stokes, the nation’s leader in average punt return yardage, suffered a broken fibula during the Quakers’ win over Columbia on Saturday, he told The Daily Pennsylvanian.
Stokes says he hopes to return before the end of his senior campaign.
“After I get these X-rays, [I’ll] probably immediately start rehabbing … and then from there, try to get back late in the season,” Stokes said. “Now that we’re eligible for the [FCS] playoffs, if our team gets that far, hopefully we’ll see if I can get back in there and help my team out.”
Penn Athletics did not indicate a timetable for Stokes’s return, noting that he is still being evaluated. “The University of Pennsylvania football program comments that running back Julien Stokes is being further evaluated for an injury sustained during this week’s game.”
Stokes, who switched positions from wide receiver to running back this season, was off to the strongest start of his collegiate career. His average of 29.4 yards per punt return is No. 1 across both the FCS and FBS, while his kick return average of 27 yards puts him at No. 16 in the FCS.
Stokes’s return heroics have been invaluable to Penn’s offense — the Quakers have begun six possessions past midfield off punts and kickoffs this season, resulting in five touchdowns and one field goal. Stokes also reached the end zone himself on a 63-yard punt return touchdown during the team’s season-opener against Stonehill.
The injury occurred during the third quarter of Penn’s 35-21 victory over the Lions. With 9:32 left in the period, Stokes was brought down for a three-yard loss at the Columbia 18-yard line. After a Columbia defender fell on Stokes during the tackle, he exited the game and did not return.
“I got landed on kind of high up on my leg,” Stokes said.
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Stokes had rushed for 63 yards prior to the injury, his most productive day on the ground so far this season.
Penn is 2-0 in Ivy League play and 4-1 overall, thanks in large part to its offense. The Red and Blue have averaged 30.6 points per game and have scored 24 points or more in every contest. Even without its all-world return man, Stokes is confident the team’s hot streak will continue.
“I’ll be back soon, but the team is doing their thing right now, and they’re really unshakable,” Stokes said. “I’m excited for this group and where we’ll lead.”
