Against Michigan State, will the injured defensive starters for Ohio State football make a comeback?
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football coach Ryan Day expects both cornerback Denzel Burke and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg to return to practice on Tuesday.
What exactly that implies in terms of their accessibility Saturday at Michigan State remains up in the air. In the case of safety Lathan Ransom, Day said he continues to be evaluated, with a better timetable potentially available later in the week.
Ohio State will be heavily favored against both the Spartans (31 points) and next week at home against Minnesota. The bigger question is how healthy the defense will be Nov. 25 at Michigan.
Day remarked, “You leave the game and try to indeitify everything that happened with everybody.” “We will not give up on getting these guys the best care possible.
Everybody this time of year is struggling. … This time of year everybody’s dealing with bumps and bruises for sure.”
Eichenberg suffered his apparent arm injury in the fourth quarter of the 35-16 victory at Rutgers. He went to the locker room and was seen after the game with a large ice pack on his left arm or shoulder.
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said he was “not concerned” about Eichenberg.
“He’d play with one arm if he had to,” Knowles said. “I know between the (athletic) trainers they’ll make the decision for him, because he’ll play. If we let him play, he’ll play.”
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said he was “not concerned” about Eichenberg.
“He’d play with one arm if he had to,” Knowles said. “I know between the (athletic) trainers they’ll make the decision for him, because he’ll play. If we let him play, he’ll play.”
Josh Proctor was also available to reporters after the win at Rutgers despite leaving in the third quarter with an apparent head injury. Barring an unforeseen setback — always a possibility in the realm of concussion protocol — Day said “I think he’s going to be ready to roll.”
Neither Ransom nor cornerback Burke made the trip to Rutgers. Day said after the game their return timetable was undetermined.
Burke suffered an apparent lower-body injury against Purdue, missed the Penn State game and returned to play against Wisconsin before sitting again. Ransom suffered his injury late in the win at Wisconsin.
Day was not asked for an update on tight end Cade Stover. He did not play at Rutgers after traveling for the game, not being listed as questionable on the availability report and going through warmups. The captain spent most of the game without his helmet while on the sideline.
Day said after the game Stover could have played but was held out for precautionary reasons. Stover has worn a brace on his right knee for the previous two games.
