NEW ORLEANS — For the first time in the public eye since having foot surgery, Dontre Wilson walked out on the Sugar Bowl turf for Media Day without a boot and without much of a limp.
Dontre Wilson, no boot today pic.twitter.com/w2rBn7Wemo
— Patrick Maks (@maksimuspatrick) December 30, 2014
Wilson, who broke his foot against Michigan State, said he expects to play in the Sugar Bowl Thursday night against Alabama.
"I kept praying and stuff, you know, God works in mysterious ways and it's getting better now," he said. "Hopefully I can make something happen."
Wilson, who said he's anywhere from "70" to "85 percent" healthy, said he hasn't practiced all week with the intent of keeping his return against the Crimson Tide a surprise. "That's the point," he said.
On Saturday, Meyer said Wilson had a "50-50" chance of playing, but has not offered a comment regarding the sophomore H-back's official status since.
Wilson would provide Ohio State another weapon on an offense that's currently steered by quarterback Cardale Jones, who made his first-career start in the Big Ten Championship Game earlier this month.
