Availability Report: Mitchell Melton, Pair Of Corners Out For Ohio State

CHICAGO — The Buckeyes will be without a number of key reserves and special teamers today when they take the field against Northwestern in Wrigley Field. Fifth-year senior defensive end Mitchell Melton is out this week following an undisclosed injury that was apparently suffered after OSU’s blocked punt last week against Purdue.

Melton has played defensive end this season but also got some time last week at the hybrid Jack spot, blitzing the backfield from the edge. The status of Melton’s availability moving forward isn’t known, though he is not listed as being out for the season.

With Melton out, junior linebacker CJ Hicks could get all of the snaps at Jack, should defensive coordinator Jim Knowles choose to employ it.

The Buckeyes will return a key figure on the defensive line this week as tackle Tyleik Williams is expected to return after being held out last week for precautionary measures. Williams’ absence is one reason why Knowles decided to implement the Jack, since it’s a lineup that only requires one defensive tackle. With Williams back, it will be interesting to see if the Jack returns or is shelved for now.

True freshman cornerback Aaron Scott is out after suffering an undisclosed injury towards the end of last week’s game. Second-team cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt is also out this week.

Redshirt junior tight end Will Kacmarek returned to the practice field this week but is still out. The coaching staff is hoping for a full week of practice this next week as he readies for a possible return against Indiana.

The rest of the availability report is below.

Questionable

None

Out

TE Will Kacmarek
DE Mitchell Melton
OT Zen Michalski
CB Aaron Scott
CB Calvin Simpson-HUnt
WR Reis Stocksdale
RB TC Caffey (season)
OT Josh Simmons (season)

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