JoePa Update . . .

Penn State coach Joe Paterno sustained a pair of fractures to his injured left leg and also sustained ligament damage as a result of his sideline collision during the Nittany Lions' 13-3 Big Ten loss to Wisconsin Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.

Guido D'Elia, PSU's Director of Communications and Branding for Football, confirmed the extent of Paterno's injuries to The Patriot-News early Sunday afternoon. D'Elia said Paterno may not need surgery to repair the injury and a decision will be made at a later date.

D'Elia said Paterno is expected to be at Beaver Stadium when 6-4 PSU hosts Temple Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium but wasn't sure if the 79-year-old coach would be on the sideline.Paterno was injured early in the third quarter when Wisconsin linebacker DeAndre Levy fell into his knees after tackling PSU tight end Andrew Quarless following a short reception near the PSU sideline.

Paterno underwent X-rays and an MRI Saturday night in State College and D'Elia said team doctor Wayne Sebastianelli informed Paterno of the extent of his injuries late Saturday night."He's got a pair of fractures and one of them is a tibial plateau fracture,'' D'Elia said.

A tibial plateau fracture occurs at the top of the shinbone and usually involves the cartilage surface of the knee joint."They don't know if surgery is the best option right now and there are some ligament tears,'' D'Elia said."I believe to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and MCL (medial collateral ligament)."

But the tears are such that they could heal on their own. It's up to [Paterno] and I think he wants to do the surgery if he's sure it will make him heal quicker. But he might be able to just rehab the knee.''D'Elia said Paterno is not using crutches and his leg remains in the same immobilizing splint Sebastianelli put on the leg during the game.D'Elia also said there is no question Paterno will be at Beaver Stadium Saturday."

He was business as usual,'' D'Elia said."

First thing he did Sunday was he wanted to look at the Wisconsin tape. He'll be at the game.''

D'Elia said PSU fans and well-wishers have placed cards and signs by Paterno's statue outside of Beaver Stadium. One well-wisher put a bandage around the left knee of the Paterno statue."

There are a lot of fans concerned about him,'' D'Elia said."One of them but an ace bandage around the left knee of the statue. Unbelievable.''

BOB FLOUNDERS: 255-8181 or bflounders@patriot-news.com