Penn State head coach James Franklin offered a rare form of brevity at his Tuesday press conference at Beaver Stadium.

Asked to update the status of both linebacker Manny Bowen and special teamer Irv Charles, Franklin's response was shorter than the question itself.

"Manny is not available," Franklin said. "We'll make a game time decision on Irv."

Bowen has been missing from Penn State's lineup for each of the Nittany Lions' past two games against Rutgers and Nebraska. Citing "a violation of team rules" originally following the Rutgers game, Franklin did not offer any indication of if and/or when Bowen would be able to return to team activities in follow-up questions the past two weeks.

Charles, meanwhile, played against Rutgers but was held out Saturday against Nebraska. Saying only that Charles was "not available this week" immediately following the game, Franklin's response Tuesday suggests a possible return as soon as this weekend's regular season finale at Maryland.