Buckeyes still without two key starters for Rutgers matchup
COLUMBUS — Ohio State will be without two of its key starters for the second straight week.
The Buckeyes won’t have star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba or starting cornerback Cameron Brown on Saturday for the Homecoming matchup against Rutgers. The program made the availability report public ahead of the 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
For Brown, his issues have been held under wraps for the last two weeks, and second-year cornerback Jakailin Johnson should be in line for another start in his absence.
For Smith-Njigba, his hamstring injury has been well documented throughout the first few weeks of the season. The Buckeyes aren’t going to rush him back, but reports indicated he could return next week at Michigan State.
“It’s a long season, and we don’t want to move forward until we all feel really good about everything,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said on Tuesday afternoon. “Jaxon still has a mindset of ‘day to day,’ and we’re not going to put any kind of timetable on it. He and the training staff are going to work hard. I know he’s frustrated, but we’re not as far away as we think. If he has the mindset of showing up every day, getting as much treatment as possible and taking care of his body, this will be behind us soon.
The Buckeyes will also be without other defensive contributors on defense: defensive end Tyler Friday and defensive back Cameron Martinez, among others.
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 Decisions
None
Unavailable for Buckeyes
WR Kamryn Babb
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
CB Jordan Hancock
CB Cameron Brown
DB Jantzen Dunn
DB Cameron Martinez
LB Palaie Gaoteote
DE Tyler Friday
EDGE Mitchell Melton
DB Lloyd McFarquhar
RB Evan Pryor
TE Joe Royer
LB Teradja Mitchell
DE Omari Abor
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