Eddrick Houston injury update: Ryan Day provides promising news regarding star defensive tackle

COLUMBUS — Ohio State already knew it avoided the worst-case scenario hours after the first training camp session of the season last week. The Buckeyes received news that star defensive tackle Eddrick Houston wasn’t severely injured like some thought he would be.

Now the Buckeyes are slated to see Houston back on the field after just a few days of rehabilitation and work off to the side of practice.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day said Tuesday that he expects Houston back on the field in the next two days, depending on how he and the training staff feel about his progress as he works back from the undisclosed injury suffered Thursday.

“We think he’s going to be involved in the team drills here within the next 48 hours,” Day said. “If not tomorrow, then the day after. But had another good day today. So, yeah, it’s good to see him moving around. 

“He was limited today, but I think he’ll be ready to get in his team drills pretty soon.”

Houston is slated to be one of the stars of the defense for Ohio State this fall. The second-year defensive tackle from Buford, Georgia, earned reps behind Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton on the interior of the national championship-winning defensive line — especially in the four-game run to the title. He’s been penciled in as a starter since the season ended because of the performance during his freshman season.

Beyond Houston and starting nose tackle Kayden McDonald, though, the Buckeyes have been perceived as thin along the interior of the defensive line; depth has been a primary concern.

With Houston on the shelf for a few days, others have stepped into larger roles. That could turn out to be a blessing in disguise as the season — and an opening date with top-ranked Texas — enters the windshield.

“When someone goes down in camp, other guys have to step up,” Day said. “And then you have to take a hard look in the mirror to figure out, “what do I need to do to be at starter level here?” Because if you get to be at starter level, we’ll play you, whether it’s in the rotation at defensive line or another position. 

“But you have to earn those opportunities.”

Those haven’t been earned as much as they have been a necessity thanks to the injury to Eddrick Houston. But he’s expected to return to action in the coming days, a welcomed sign for the Ohio State defensive line heading into the second week of training camp.