Penn State’s KJ Winston, considered one of the top safeties in the nation, has suffered a long-term injury, coach James Franklin said after practice Wednesday night. Winston was injured in the first half of the Nittany Lions’ 34-27 win over Bowling Green on Sept. 7 and did not return. He tied a career high with 12 tackles in the season-opening 34-12 victory over West Virginia. He is believed to have suffered a leg injury. He was not seen at practice Wednesday night. “Long term,” Franklin said when asked about Winston’s injury status. What he meant was not exactly clear, but it’s possible that Winston has played his final game of the season. Jaylen Reed will slide from the Lion hybrid position to replace Winston at strong safety, beginning with Saturday’s non-conference home game against prohibitive underdog Kent State. Reed made nine tackles, broke up two passes and recovered a fumble at West Virginia and had 10 tackles against Bowling Green. “You guys saw what he (Reed) did playing that (hybrid) spot against West Virginia,” Franklin said. “It was a great position for him, but we may not have the flexibility to do it.” Winston’s absence leaves Penn State thin at safety. Freshmen Dejuan Lane, Vaboue Toure and Antoine Belgrave-Shorter are next in line behind Reed and free safety Zakee Wheatley since DaKaari Nelson was moved to linebacker. “We’ve talked a decent amount about Dae Dae Lane,” Franklin said. “That’ll have a huge impact on him and the reps he’s getting and where he’s at. We’re trying to figure out the next guy.” Cam Miller, who’s usually a cornerback, filled in at the Lion position against Bowling Green after Winston left the game. But Franklin sounded as if Penn State will use three linebackers more often, at least for the foreseeable future. “You’re probably going to see J Reed high (in Winston’s position),” Franklin said, “but hopefully as Dae Dae and others start to come on we can move him back in that spot as the year goes on.” The 6-2, 205-pound Winston received All-Big Ten honorable mention last year. This year he was named to the Lindy’s All-Big Ten preseason second team and was rated as the eighth-best strong safety available in the NFL draft by Phil Steele’s College Football Preview. According to Pro Football Focus, he was the only safety in the nation who posted at least an 85 grade as a run defender and in pass coverage. His missed-tackle rate was 2%, second among all safeties.