Ohio State hit with significant injury news ahead of game against No. 5 Indiana
The first availability report of the week is here ahead of Ohio State’s Week 7 game against indiana.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have a top-5 matchup on deck in Week 7. The No. 4 Buckeyes travel to take on the No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday in what is easily their biggest game of the season so far.
Ahead of that matchup, Ohio State released its first availability report of the week, and it brings some big news for the Buckeyes.
Austin Siereveld is out for Ohio State against Indiana
Ohio State has listed offensive lineman Austin Siereveld as out against Indiana. The Buckeyes will have to shuffle things around up front against one of the best teams on their schedule.
The likely plan is for Ohio State to turn back to Philip Daniels at right tackle and Gabe VanSickle at right guard. Daniels is off of the injury report this week and Siereveld is joined by running back Ja’Kobi Jackson in terms of players that will miss this game. Additionally, wide receiver Brock Boyd, running back Isaiah West, and defensive end Khary Wilder are listed as questionable.
The offensive line isn’t the only spot with uncertainty. Ohio State is going to need a whole lot of Bo Jackson in this one with Ja’Kobi Jackson out and West questionable. Jackson is Ohio State’s second leading rusher this season with 354 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
Ohio State has some good news with wide receivers Brandon Inniss and Devin McCuin both back. The Buckeyes managed without the pair last week, but doing it against a top-5 opponent on the road is a different challenge.
On the defensive side, cornerback Jay Timmons and linebacker Christian Alliegro both off of the available report after missing the Maryland game.
Friday’s availability report will be more telling
This is only the first availability report of the week, so there’s still a lot to sort through before Saturday. Players listed as question marks early in the week often end up suiting up once the final report comes out.
The Friday availability report will give a much clearer picture of who is going to play for the Buckeyes in Bloomington. Still, this first edition raises some eyebrows. Ohio State will be without its starting right guard and second running back who they heavily rely on.
The good news for Ohio State is that it has already shown it can plug in reserves and keep things moving. VanSickle has handled the offensive line shuffle by stepping in at right guard,
Whether that holds up against Indiana is another story. Friday’s report should bring some more answers, and Saturday will show whether Ohio State’s depth is ready for the moment.
