Ohio State won't quite be at full strength against Rutgers Saturday, but the Buckeyes will have several notable players back for the contest.
Among the 13 players listed as unavailable on the team's official status report Saturday are senior defensive end Tyreke Smith, who missed last week's game as well, and redshirt freshman running back Miyan Williams.
| OHIO STATE STATUS REPORT FOR RUTGERS |
|---|
| GAME-TIME DECISION |
| LB PALAIE GAOTEOTE |
| UNAVAILABLE |
|
WR KAMRYN BABB WR JULIAN FLEMING DE TYLER FRIDAY DT MIKE HALL DE DARRION HENRY-YOUNG CB JAKAILIN JOHNSON BUL JAYLEN JOHNSON LB MITCHELL MELTON DL NOAH POTTER SAF JOSH PROCTOR K JAKE SEIBERT DE TYREKE SMITH RB MIYAN WILLIAMS |
Senior linebacker Palaie Gaoteote is the lone Buckeye listed as a game-time decision for Saturday's Big Ten matchup. (Update: Gaoteote was not in uniform for pregame warmups and will also be unavailable for Saturday's game).
Javontae Jean-Baptiste was unavailable against Akron, but the redshirt junior could fill in for Smith in the starting lineup at defensive end as he was not listed on the status report. Taron Vincent is another defensive lineman that missed last week's game, but the starting defensive tackle should be back against Rutgers on Saturday.
On the offensive line, both Harry Miller and Thayer Munford could see action Saturday, as neither were listed on the status report. Miller was expected to start at center for the Buckeyes entering the season, but has been unavailable for the first four games while redshirt freshman Luke Wypler has filled in. Ryan Day said this week that Miller would be eased back into things on the field, which would suggest that Wypler will remain the starter at center.
Munford missed the Akron game after suffering a lower-leg injury against Tulsa, but could return to the starting lineup at left guard in place of Matt Jones, who got the start last week.
Another Ohio State starter that appears to be ready for action Saturday is cornerback Cameron Brown, who missed the season opener against Minnesota and last week's Akron game as he has been working through a knee injury. Sevyn Banks started in his place a week ago, while true freshman Denzel Burke has started all four games for the Buckeyes this season.
Second-year wideout Julian Fleming will miss his second consecutive game for Ohio State, while Mike Hall, Darrion Henry-Young, Jakailin Johnson and Jake Seibert are new additions to the unavailable list this week.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in Piscataway, New Jersey, as the Buckeyes and Scarlet Knights each play their second conference game Saturday.
