Depth Chart: Justin Hilliard, K.J. Hill Absent With Injuries in Ohio State's Two-Deep Ahead of Big Ten Opener Against Rutgers

Injuries are the only cause for change in the Ohio State football program's latest two-deep, released Tuesday afternoon.

Urban Meyer said on Monday that wide receiver K.J. Hill is set to miss 3-4 weeks with a high ankle sprain while linebacker Justin Hilliard had surgery for a torn left biceps over the weekend. As a result, those two names are absent from the depth chart, the first the Buckeyes put out in two weeks after having an uncharacteristically early off day last Saturday.

No. 2 Ohio State returns to Columbus to host Chris Ash and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) on Saturday for its Big Ten opener. Kickoff is set for noon.

Notes:

• Joe Burger replaces Hilliard at backup WILL linebacker on this week's depth chart. One change is Jerome Baker is now listed as a co-starter with Dante Booker at the position. Booker missed Ohio State's wins against Tulsa and Oklahoma with a sprained MCL but Meyer said he is "probable" for Saturday's game.
• Baker remains Chris Worley's backup at SAM linebacker.
• Ohio State listed Hill as a backup wide receiver to co-starters Corey Smith and Johnnie Dixon the last two weeks. The Buckeyes just removed Hill's name from its two-deep due to his injury but did not replace him in their latest two-deep.
• Sam Hubbard and Jalyn Holmes remain co-starters at defensive end opposite of Tyquan Lewis.
• Marshon Lattimore remains a co-starter at one cornerback spot with Denzel Ward despite being tied for the team lead with three interceptions.

• Ohio State still lists nine starting positions with an "OR."