Oregon will be a bit shorthanded against the Buckeyes.
Oregon will be without arguably the top player in the country for Saturday's game against Ohio State as defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux will not play against the Buckeyes.
Thibodeaux sustained an ankle sprain during Oregon's season-opening win against Fresno State, in which he had a sack and a forced fumble.
Oregon coach Mario Cristobal did express hope that Thibodeaux would progress quickly enough to play against the Buckeyes and he did make the trip to Columbus, but he was not suited up during warmups and will not play for the Ducks on Saturday.
Thibodeaux is widely considered the top pass rusher in the country and the top overall 2022 NFL Draft prospect on many early draft boards.
Oregon linebacker Justin Flowe – a former five-star prospect and the No. 6 overall player in the 2020 class – will also be out against Ohio State with an apparent leg injury as he arrived to Saturday's game in a walking boot. The second-year linebacker had a career-high 14 tackles against Fresno State last week.
