Jaxon Smith-Njigba cleared for return, Buckeyes offense back at full strength

COLUMBUS — The Ohio State offense is just getting more difficult to defend.

Star wide receiver and preseason Biletnikoff Award favorite Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been cleared to return for the clash with Iowa on Saturday after spending a month on the unavailable list.

The Buckeyes have played four full games without Smith-Njigba. In his absence, Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Julian Fleming and others have stepped up to keep Ohio State the top offense in the country.

Now with their No. 1 playmaker back in the fold, the offense will be even tougher to defend.

“I think it allows us more depth there, and it takes some stress off of the other guys,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said this week about the idea of getting Smith-Njigba back. “They’ve taken on a lot in these first six games. If, seven weeks ago, you said here’s what’s going to happen, you would have realized that’s a pretty heavy burden for those guys. …. I think they’ve done well and benefitting from that. We all have.

“Getting him back would take some stress off of them. Then we’ll be at full strength.”

Ohio State gained plenty of depth in the receiver room without its best playmaker and potential All-American. But the Buckeyes don’t need to do that anymore. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is off the availability report and will make his long-awaited return against Iowa.

Other availability report notes

Ohio State will also be, as expected, full strength at running back. After each missed a game in the last three weeks, both Miyan Williams and TreVeyon Henderson are absent from the availability list.

On the defensive side of the ball, Ohio State will be without starting cornerback Cameron Brown, but sophomore cornerback Jordan Hancock is absent from the availability list, signaling that his season debut could come Saturday against Iowa.

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

Ohio State Game-Time Decision

N/A

Unavailable for Buckeyes

DE Omari Abor

WR Kamryn Babb

CB Cameron Brown

RB TC Caffey

WR Corban Cleveland

DE Tyler Friday

DB Lloyd McFarquhar

EDGE Mitchell Melton

LB Teradja Mitchell

LB Jalen Pace

RB Evan Pryor

DL Bryce Prater

TE Joe Royer

DB Kourt Williams