Penn State sophomore wide receiver Mark Rubin, who single-handedly injected experience into a position where the Nittany Lions had little else, had a serious ankle injury before the weekend, his mother, Mary Ellen, confirmed yesterday.

It is possible that Rubin will miss the season.

And, in the meantime, it is certain a far less experienced player will be forced to replace him.

Rubin, who developed during 2004 into the team's most reliable possession receiver, has the option of taking a redshirt. Not counting Michael Robinson -- now Penn State's starting quarterback -- wideouts returning from last season combined for 22 catches in 2004. Rubin had 16 of them for 187 yards. He entered 2005 as a starter at flanker.

Rubin's injury will test the Lions' depth. Talented freshman Derrick Williams, who finished high school early and enrolled at Penn State for the 2005 spring semester, figures to start at one wideout spot.

Among others, fellow freshman Justin King, redshirt sophomore Terrell Golden or redshirt freshman Deon Butler will be given a chance to fill in for Rubin.

Last season, Rubin did not appear in the team's first three games. He followed his debut in Week 4 -- a two-catch performance against Wisconsin -- with six catches for 60 yards against Minnesota.

By midseason, coach Joe Paterno acknowledged that "he has been a big addition for our program."

This latest injury only extends a recent stretch in which Penn State has watched its depth erode. Freshman linebacker Sean Lee's medial collateral ligament was strained in practice recently and he is likely to miss between a week and 10 days.

On Friday, the athletic department announced that starting linebacker Dan Connor had been suspended indefinitely for his alleged involvement in a series of prank calls.

Two other players to admit involvement -- safety Nolan McCready and wideout Jim Kanuch -- may still face punishment.

Penn State spokesman Jeff Nelson added that other players, still unnamed, also may have participated in the prank calling.