Trio of defensive starters ruled out for Buckeyes primetime showdown

COLUMBUS — For the second straight game, the depth of the Ohio State secondary will be tested.

But the Buckeyes top-10 defense will be without three of its biggest stars, adding to the already-shorthanded unit. Those absences for Saturday night’s primetime showdown against Michigan State include the quarterback of the defense.

Ohio State starting middle linebacker and team captain Tommy Eichenberg will not play Saturday night, missing action for the first time since he became a Buckeyes starter a couple of years ago. Eichenberg leads the defense with 75 total tackles. He also has 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble on the season.

But he’s not the only Ohio State starter who will be on the shelf for the primetime matchup. The Buckeyes will also be without a pair of starting safeties: Josh Proctor and Lathan Ransom.

Proctor left last week’s game at Rutgers after a hard hit, one that left him down on the turf for a few minutes on the same play the Buckeyes took the lead over Rutgers with a pick-six Proctor himself caused. His injury is not considered long-term, but he won’t be available for Ohio State on Saturday.

For Ransom, this is his second consecutive missed game. The star safety left the game at Wisconsin two weeks ago with a significant limp on a non-contact injury. Ohio State avoided the worst-case scenario with Ransom, and he still has a chance to return to action either next week against Minnesota or on the road for the rivalry game in two weeks. He’ll at least miss a second game Saturday night.

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In addition to the absence of two starting safeties, defensive contributor Cameron Martinez, who has filled in at defensive back for injured players at times this season, is listed as questionable.

All of those absences — and the potential for a Martinez absence — could thrust young, inexperienced defensive backs into action for the Buckeyes. Freshman safety Malik Hartford and freshman cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. could be in line for a bigger workload against offensively-challenged Michigan State.

Ohio State will need its depth on the defensive side of the ball to shine Saturday night against the Spartans. Three starters are missing, and there are plenty of options to pick up the slack for the Buckeyes.

The full availability report from the program is now confirmed, making note that Ohio State doesn’t detail injury or disciplinary matters.

Questionable for Ohio State

DB Cam Martinez

Out for Buckeyes

LB Tommy Eichenberg
WR Kyion Grayes
DL Jason Moore
DB Josh Proctor
DB Lathan Ransom
TE Joe Royer
DL Will Smith Jr.

Out for season

TE Zak Herbstreit (season)
WR Reis Stocksdale (season)
DB Kourt Williams II (season)
RB Miyan Williams (season)