Availability Report: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cameron Brown Out For Buckeyes

COLUMBUS — The Buckeyes will be without a pair of starters in tonight’s Big Ten matchup against Wisconsin, as All-American receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Cameron Brown have been listed as unavailable by Ohio State.

Smith-Njigba injured a hamstring in the season opener against Notre Dame, and then was a game-time decision in week two against Arkansas State. He was held out of that game, but then played a little bit last week against Toledo. His absence this week likely means quarterback CJ Stroud will be reliant on a starting receiver trio of Marvin Harrison and Julian Fleming on the outside, and Emeka Egbuka in the slot.

Egbuka is third in the Big Ten with 324 yards receiving this season. He leads the team with 20 receptions.

Brown, meanwhile, has started all three games for the Buckeyes this season. Without him, the defense will likely turn to redshirt freshman JK Johnson, who has been splitting playing time with Brown and starter Denzel Burke. Burke also missed some practice this week.

The cornerback situation is further hampered by the ongoing absence of sophomore Jordan Hancock. There could be some playing time for freshmen Jyaire Brown and Ryan Turner tonight as well. Turner just had his black stripe removed this week.

Running back TreVeyon Henderson only played one series last week but he is expected to play tonight. He was not listed on the availability report. Also not listed are defensive tackle Mike Hall and safeties Josh Proctor and Tanner McCalister, all of whom missed last week’s game against the Rockets.

There are no game-time decisions listed.

Here is the full availability report from the Buckeyes for the game against the Badgers.

Game-Time Decision
None

Unavailable
DE Omari Abor
WR Kam Babb
CB Cameron Brown
CB Jordan Hancock
LB Mitchell Melton
LB Teradja Mitchell
DT Zach Prater
RB Evan Pryor
TE Joe Royer
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

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