Penn State coach Cael Sanderson announced Monday that sophomore Robert Howard will likely miss the season and redshirt freshman Gary Steen will be the Nittany Lions' starting 125-pounder.

"Howard will not be wrestling most likely this year," Sanderson said. "I don't know if that's news or not, so Gary Steen right now ... he's done a nice job. We have a few different guys that will be competing for that spot, but Gary Steen's done a nice job and he'll probably kick things off and hopefully get things rolling there.”

News from Penn State wrestling. Robbie Howard won’t be wrestling (injury), Will Betancourt is no longer with the program, Gary Steen will be the Lions’ 125-pounder…all per Coach Cael Sanderson.

— James R. Carlson (@JamesRCarlson) November 7, 2022

Later, Howard confirmed the news on Twitter.

. Unfortunately, due to some health reasons I cannot compete in '23. I tried to make it work but it requires a long term fix. Dreams are alive, eyes are forward. Eligibility is stacked up so don't worry too much. YOU WILL SEE ME IN BLUE IN 24. Thanks for the notes of kindness https://t.co/Ug150l2HcB

— Robert Howard (@Robbie__Howard) November 7, 2022

Howard went 7-6 and made the round of 16 at the national tournament his true freshman year in 2021 while starting for PSU. He sat out last year while recovering from knee surgery. Howard was also sidelined for a significant part of his high school senior season with a shoulder injury. Howard suffered an elbow injury in June at the U20 World Team Trials. 

Steen was a 2X Pennsylvania state champion for Reynolds High School. As a redshirt last season, Steen went 5-5 while competing at the Clarion Open, David Lehman Open, and Mat Town Open. 

"Gary's a very good wrestler," Sanderson said. "I mean, he's had a ton of success up until this point in his career. So yeah, there's no reason why he wouldn't continue that, right? He's got everything he needs. He's a great athlete. He's strong. He's fast. He has experience, so it's just like anyone on our team. It's just up to him to go take advantage of all that God's blessed him with and that's a lot right? He’s got a lot to be grateful for. He's got a lot of potential. So again, like anybody else, he just it's up to you to use it ... have fun and go score some points."