Ryan Day reveals that Ohio State has braced itself for potential major injury to star safety
Rumors began swirling late on Monday night that the Ohio State Buckeyes might be dealing with a potentially major injury to safety Lathan Ransom. When asked about Ransom's status and more information about his injury, head coach Ryan Day avoided any clear response. What he did give, however, was enough of an answer to know […]
Rumors began swirling late on Monday night that the Ohio State Buckeyes might be dealing with a potentially major injury to safety Lathan Ransom. When asked about Ransom's status and more information about his injury, head coach Ryan Day avoided any clear response.
What he did give, however, was enough of an answer to know where this is headed.
According to Eleven Warriors, Ransom left practice last week with foot injury. No updates were provided beyond that, and Day did not add fuel to the fire.
Day announced on Tuesday that starting left tackle Josh Simmons will miss the entire season due to a knee injury. However, he remained silent regarding Ransom's condition.
Although Day didn’t confirm whether Ransom would be sidelined, he mentioned that either Jaylen McClain or Malik Hartford would likely step in if Ohio State needs another safety for the first-team defense.
He also noted that Jordan Hancock and Lorenzo Styles Jr. have the capability to switch from nickel to safety if necessary.
Ransom has been Ohio State's highest-graded safety by PFF this season. He's been credited with 26 tackles, eight-run stops and has allowed only 75 receiving yards and one touchdown on 10 receptions.
McClain and Hartford each have 47 snaps on the year, so Ohio State's continued unwillingness to rotate younger players in could bite them once again.
Regarding other injuries, Day stated that running back Quinshon Judkins is “good” after a minor hand procedure last week. He believes Judkins feels better now than he did before the Oregon game—though Ohio State does not attribute his fumble at Oregon to the hand injury—and anticipates that Judkins will play this week.
Day did not provide a specific timeline for No. 2 tight end Will Kacmarek's return but reiterated that, as he mentioned on the radio last week, Kacmarek will be out for “a while."
