Garrett Wilson expected to return to Ohio State practice ahead of Purdue matchup

COLUMBUS — An official designation on the status of Garrett Wilson will have to wait for now.

But Ohio State is expecting the star wide receiver back on the practice field this week, and he appears to be trending toward a return to the lineup on Saturday in a critical Big Ten matchup with Purdue.

Multiple sources with direct knowledge of the injury situation indicated to Lettermen Row that Wilson was dealing with concussion-like symptoms last week after taking a brutal, unpenalized hit to the head against Penn State. But the Buckeyes didn’t anticipate the absence to be long-term for the key cog in the passing attack.

“Looking forward to having a really good week of practice with him and getting him back out there today,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said during his Tuesday press conference in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. “We missed him, and we’re looking forward to having him back this week.”

The Buckeyes survived without Wilson last week at Nebraska, getting contributions from Julian Fleming off the bench and a record-setting performance from Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

But Ohio State was clearly missing the unique, explosive athleticism of Garrett Wilson. And getting the junior back in the rotation would obviously get the Buckeyes closer to their maximum potential again.

“Certainly we’re going to watch the film [of Nebraska] and think: Boy, we could have won by three touchdowns or more if we cleaned some things up,” Day said on Saturday. “This is a good team. They’re a good defense. We knew that coming in. I said that, and I believe it.

“So it’s great to get wins on a road. Not easy to do.”

Now the Buckeyes will return home. And Garrett Wilson could be ready to rejoin them there.