The road to recovery for Brandon Ware just got longer.
Ware will likely not play this season after cutting classes this semester and failing to remain in shape following a foot injury, Joe Paterno said Tuesday at his weekly press conference.
"Don't look for Brandon Ware doing anything this year," Paterno said. "He's way overweight, he's cutting classes. Brandon Ware is right now in my doghouse, and I have no plans to use Brandon Ware."
The defensive tackle suffered a broken right foot in a preseason practice Aug. 31 and has not played since.
Paterno said Ware was at practice Monday wearing a green cross -- meaning he was not cleared for contact -- but "didn't do anything."
Ware is listed at 341 pounds, and Paterno expressed his displeasure with his weight prior to the season, saying on Aug. 13 that Ware is "20 pounds away from even coming close to being a football player."
Ware was listed as the top reserve to Jared Odrick on Penn State's preseason depth chart.
In Ware's absence, true freshman Jordan Hill and sophomore Devon Still have seen playing time at tackle.
McCormack likely out
Paterno said Nerraw McCormack is doubtful for Saturday's game against Minnesota because of a right ankle injury the right tackle suffered in Penn State's Oct. 3 game at Illinois.
"He didn't do much [Monday], and I'm doubtful whether he'll be able to go," Paterno said.
Ako Poti is listed as the first-team right tackle on the Nittany Lions' depth chart this week. Paterno thought Poti did well in his first career start on Saturday with McCormack and former starter DeOn'tae Pannell sidelined.
The Hall of Fame coach said Pannell, who also suffered an ankle injury against Illinois, could have played this past Saturday but would not have been at 100 percent.
Pannell was not listed on Penn State's injury report released Monday.
"I think we're working our way out of what has been a very delicate situation for us because we really were running out of people who could play offensive tackle," Paterno said.
Paterno said he was impressed with redshirt freshman Mike Farrell's performance Saturday in a reserve role but added
that Farrell would "have his problems" if he was forced to start this week.
Timmons practices
Knowledge Timmons practiced Monday, two days after leaving the Lions' game against Eastern Illinois with what he called a minor medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury.
Timmons said after the game he would play this Saturday against Minnesota, and Paterno echoed that sentiment Tuesday.
"I'm anxious to see how he feels [Tuesday]," Paterno said. "I think he's gonna be playing."
Fera likely to redshirt
Anthony Fera will likely redshirt this season, Paterno said Tuesday.
Fera, a true freshman, was replaced as the No. 2 kicker by Ryan Breen on Penn State's depth chart released on Monday.
Breen had one kickoff and one punt in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game, but Paterno doubts he will replace Collin Wagner as the team's starting kicker any time soon.
Paterno said that Breen -- also the Lions' No. 2 punter -- lacks consistency on both kicks and punts.
"I'll tell ya, he's got a great leg but he's, jeez, he's inconsistent," Paterno said. "I mean once he gets a little bit, same way with punting. ... Some days I'll go over there and watch him punt, and he kicks the devil outta the ball -- three or four punts I say, 'Oh boy,' then next one he shanks.
"He's gotta get over that because you don't know which one, when he's gonna shank it."
