Three Defensive Starters Out For Buckeyes Against Spartans

COLUMBUS — Ohio State will be without starting middle linebacker Tommy Eichenberg and starting safeties Josh Proctor and Lathan Ransom for Saturday night’s game against Michigan State.

Ransom missed last week’s game at Rutgers with a lower leg injury. Proctor left last week’s game after taking a hit to the head. Eichenberg left the Rutgers game late with an apparent elbow injury.

Without Ransom last week, the Buckeyes went with sophomore Sonny Styles at strong safety. That is expected to be the plan again this week against the Spartans. Styles finished with seven tackles and a forced fumble last week.

Proctor’s replacement could either be true freshman Malik Hartford or Syracuse transfer Ja’Had Carter. Hartford started the Youngstown State game earlier in the season. He was replaced by Carter following some missed assignments, however.

Last week when Proctor went down, he was replaced by Hartford.

Senior linebacker Cody Simon will replace Eichenberg. Simon has split time at Will linebacker with Steele Chambers this season, but has started at middle linebacker in the past, so this should be a fairly seamless transition.

Junior cornerback Denzel Burke is not listed on this week’s availability report, which is good news for the Buckeyes. He missed last week’s game and was replaced by true freshman Jermaine Mathews, Jr.

Senior tight end Cade Stover is also not listed on this week’s availability report after missing last week’s game. Of course, he was not listed on last week’s report either, so it remains to be seen if he will play or be given another week to let an apparent hand/wrist injury heal.

The full availability report can be found below.

Questionable

SAF Cameron Martinez

Out

LB Tommy Eichenberg
WR Kyion Grayes
TE Zak Herbstreit
DT Jason Moore
SAF Josh Proctor
SAF Lathan Ransom
TE Joe Royer
DT Will Smith, Jr
WR Reis Stocksdale
LB Kourt Williams
RB Miyan Williams

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