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
OL Devontae Armstrong
SAF Jayden Bonsu
WR Reis Stocksdale
RB TC Caffey (season)
Defensively Speaking: The Overload Front
Ryan Day Happy Getting Angry On The Sidelines With Chip Kelly Up In The Booth
Michigan Monday: Cut Off At The Pass
Hot 11: Post-Western Michigan
Tale Of The Tape: Marshall
Buckeye Tight Ends Playing In Heavy Rotation
Ohio State Football Notebook: ‘If your focus goes anywhere else, I think that’s dangerous’
Hot 11: Post-Western Michigan