Ohio State will be without at least one starter for the rest of the season, while the status of another starter remains uncertain.
Ryan Day confirmed Tuesday that starting left tackle Josh Simmons is out for the season with a knee injury, but declined comment when asked about the status of starting safety Lathan Ransom.
A source told Eleven Warriors that Ransom left practice with a foot injury last week. The severity of Ransom’s injury and the timeline for his return remains unknown.
While Day did not directly address whether Ransom would miss time, he said in response to another question that either Jaylen McClain or Malik Hartford would likely be the next man up if Ohio State needs another safety to play with the first-team defense. He also said Jordan Hancock and Lorenzo Styles Jr. have the flexibility to move from nickel to safety if needed.
As for other injured players, Ryan Day said running back Quinshon Judkins is “good” after undergoing a minor hand procedure last week. Day said he thinks Judkins is feeling better now than he did before the Oregon game – though Ohio State does not believe the hand injury led to his fumble at Oregon – and expects Judkins to play this week.
Day did not specify a timeline for No. 2 tight end Will Kacmarek to return but reiterated that Kacmarek will be out “a while” as he said on the radio last week.
