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| OSU STATUS REPORT FOR PENN STATE |
|---|
| Questionable |
|
WR Emeka Egbuka RB TreVeyon Henderson |
| Out |
|
WR Nolan Baudo CB Denzel Burke RB T.C. Caffey WR Kyion Grayes TE Zak Herbstreit TE Joe Royer DT Will Smith Jr. WR Reis Stocksdale LB Kourt Williams II |
(Note: Ohio State initially listed TreVeyon Henderson as out for Saturday’s game, but updated his status to questionable following the initial release of the report.)
Ohio State's lockdown cornerback won't play against Penn State on Saturday, and the Buckeyes could also be without two starters on offense.
Per the Buckeyes' status report, Denzel Burke is out with an undisclosed injury. Running back TreVeyon Henderson was also listed as out on Ohio State’s initial status report, but his status was changed to questionable before the game, indicating that he’ll try to give it a go.
Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is also listed as questionable after missing last week's game against Purdue with an ankle injury.
Neither Egbuka nor Henderson started against Penn State. Xavier Johnson filled in at wide receiver while Chip Trayanum started at running back.
Both Egbuka and Henderson did not play the entire first half and had their helmets taken from them on the Ohio State sideline.
Henderson and Egbuka both participated in pregame warmups. However, Trayanum warmed up as the starting running back and Johnson warmed up as the starting slot receiver.
Burke has been Ohio State's top cornerback thus far this season and among its best players regardless of position. He has eight pass breakups and an interception in just six games this year, allowing a meager 4.8 yards per target to opposing receivers, per Pro Football Focus.
After making a tackle in the third quarter against Purdue, Burke limped to the Ohio State sideline and was later escorted to the locker room with assistance.
The same rotation that replaced him against the Boilermakers is expected to do the same against Penn State. Jordan Hancock is likely to start opposite Davison Igbinosun at cornerback, with Jermaine Mathews Jr. coming in outside when Hancock moves inside to play slot corner. Jyaire Brown and Lorenzo Styles Jr. could also be options at cornerback.
Henderson, Ohio State's feature back through the first four weeks of the season, has been out since the open week, missing both the Maryland and Purdue games with injury. Despite missing that time, he still paces the team in rushing yards, with 295 in just 44 carries (6.7 yards per carry) and five touchdowns.
Trayanum has been his primary replacement this year, with a team-high 51 carries for 235 yards, 4.6 yards per carry. When healthy, Williams has gotten some usage behind him, with 25 attempts for 96 yards (3.8 per carry). Then, Dallan Hayden had a big outing last week with all three backs ahead of him sidelined, running for 76 yards in 11 carries.
While the staff had said before the Purdue game that it was planning to redshirt Hayden this year, Ryan Day said this week that the Buckeyes will "do what we think is best to win every game," though the extent to which Ohio State will use him this week with Trayanum, Williams and possibly Henderson back in action is unclear.
Egbuka missed last week's game against Purdue after suffering an ankle injury the week prior vs. Maryland. He has 22 receptions for 303 yards and three touchdowns this year. Johnson started in his place at slot receiver against the Boilermakers, with Carnell Tate also rotating in. A similar rotation is likely if Egbuka can't play against Penn State.
The Buckeyes and Nittany Lions kick off at noon Saturday on FOX.
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