COLUMBUS — One week after the Buckeyes opened the season without starting middle linebacker Cody Simon and starting left guard Donovan Jackson, both players are available today against Western Michigan. That does not mean that they will play, however.
With an open week next weekend for Ohio State, there isn’t really a need to rush either player back. But if one or both are 100%, then there’s also no need to hold them back.
In Jackson’s place last week, the Buckeyes went with redshirt freshman Austin Siereveld, who got better as the game went on. Without Simon against Akron a week ago, Will linebacker Sonny Styles made the start in the middle. He was spelled by sophomore Arvell Reese.
If Simon doesn’t go this week, Reese or Styles will get the start. If Simon does go, it will be interesting to see how much time Reese gets in the rotation while the game is still in doubt. Reese showed last week that he is definitely not out of his depth.
The rest of the availability report is as short as it has been in a long time. There are no players listed as questionable. But again, Simon and Jackson are not guaranteed to play today per OSU. They did practice throughout the week, however.
OUT
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