Kenyatta Jackson injury update: Ohio State EDGE's status revealed for rest of Texas game

Ohio State EDGE Kenyatta Jackson has been ruled out for the rest of Saturday’s game against Texas. He left with an injury in the third quarter.

Jackson got caught on the bottom of a pile deep in the red zone as the Longhorns marched down the field in the third quarter, and he received treatment on the field. He then headed to the injury tent once he got to the sideline after walking off under his own power.

Jackson later returned to the sideline, but didn’t have his helmet with him. However, he will not return to Saturday’s Top-5 showdown. At the time of his departure, he had three tackles as the Ohio State defense shined.

“Defensive end Kenyatta Jackson has been ruled out for the rest of the game,” FOX Sports’ Jenny Taft said on the broadcast. “He was walking on his own, but of course, clear disappointment on his face.”

Jackson emerged as a key contributor on Ohio State’s national championship team a year ago. He appeared in 15 games, totaling 16 tackles – including three for loss and 1.5 sacks. He could be in line to take a leap for the Buckeyes’ pass-rush this year following some high-profile departures, including J.T. Tuimioloau.

As he looked ahead to his role this season, Jackson said he’s keeping things in perspective with a potentially larger role waiting for him. His focus remains on getting better and getting ready for the week ahead.

“Potentially I’m a starter, hopefully, but I don’t think about that, man,” Jackson said Thursday. “I just come in every day, just bust my butt every single day, just trying to get 1-percent better each and every day, preparing for the opponent that we have coming up.”

Ohio State and Texas’ season opener was billed as potentially one of the biggest games of the year, drawing plenty of attention in the lead-up to kickoff. It marks the start of a new era for both teams. Arch Manning is now the Longhorns’ full-time starter and Julian Sayin won the Buckeyes’ quarterback competition, meaning Saturday marked his first career start.

Through the first half, though, both quarterbacks struggled. Afterward, FOX analyst Urban Meyer had questions for both Steve Sarkisian and Ryan Day. He wondered why the two teams opted to be so aggressive on fourth down rather than putting their young QBs in better field position.