Mitchell Melton out for Buckeyes at Northwestern
CHICAGO — Ohio State used Mitchell Melton in a unique role last week against Purdue: he played four snaps as the Buckeyes ‘JACK’ hybrid defender, hovering between the defensive line and the linebackers to create havoc.
He won’t be on the field Saturday when the Buckeyes take on Northwestern at Wrigley Field, however. Melton has been ruled out for Saturday, according to the official availability report released by the program.
It’ll be the first game Melton has missed this season. In his place, the Buckeyes could turn to fellow hybrid defender C.J. Hicks, or they could scrap the three-down linemen formation all together and stick with a four-down front.
Either way, Mitchell Melton won’t be on the field for the Buckeyes on Saturday. He is officially out.
Other notes from Ohio State availability report
+ Tight end Will Kacmarek is officially out again this week. Buckeyes coach Ryan Day mentioned that Kacmarek will be out a while earlier before the Nebraska game, but he recently said Kacmarek is ahead of schedule and will be returning soon. In his place again this week, the Buckeyes will have to rely on tight ends Bennett Christian and Jelani Thurman — as well as even more production from veteran Gee Scott Jr.
+ Buckeyes redshirt freshman cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt will not be suiting up against Northwestern. He previously missed last week’s game against Purdue.
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+ After taking a hard fall late in the win over Purdue last week and being taken to the locker room, freshman cornerback Aaron Scott is out this week.
+ Of course, left tackle Josh Simmons is out for the rest of the year with a knee injury. His backup, Zen Michalski, hasn’t played since the Nebraska game. Michalski hasn’t been ruled out for the year but the Buckeyes have given no timetable for his return.
The full availability report from the program is now confirmed, making note that Ohio State doesn’t detail injury or disciplinary matters.
Questionable
N/A
Out
DE Mitchell Melton
CB Aaron Scott Jr.
OT Zen Michalski
TE Will Kacmarek
WR Reis Stocksdale
CB Calvin Simpson-Hunt
RB TC Caffey(season)
LT Josh Simmons (season)