Ohio State football got some injury news it badly needed ahead of Saturday’s game vs. Indiana
Midweek wasn’t great at all for Ohio State on the injury front, but the latest news did bring welcomed news for the Buckeyes.
The Ohio State Buckeyes received rough news Wednesday when the initial availability report listed offensive lineman Austin Siereveld and running back Ja’Kobi Jackson as out against Indiana.
Ohio State is heading into a top-5 matchup with the Hoosiers that will shape the Big Ten race at the end of the season. The Buckeyes need to be as healthy as possible for it.
Another worry on that first report was running back Isaiah West, who was listed as questionable. With Ja’Kobi Jackson already ruled out, Legend Bey looked like he would have to serve as Ohio State’s second running back behind starter Bo Jackson.
Isaiah West cleared to play against Indiana
Thursday night’s availability report brought good news for the Buckeyes. West, freshman defensive end Khary Wilder, and backup offensive lineman Deontae Armstrong were all listed as questionable Wednesday. All three have since been removed from the report and are expected to play against Indiana.
West’s status is the one that’s getting the attention here. He has 22 carries for 80 rushing yards and one touchdown. With Ja’Kobi Jackson out, West will be Ohio State’s second running back in this game. He’ll need to be ready to handle a real share of the carries against a strong Indiana defensive front.
Keeping Bo Jackson fresh is going to be key in a game of this size. Having West available gives Ohio State a second back instead of pushing a deeper option into a bigger role on the road.
Ohio State gets 5 starters back from the Maryland game
Wide receiver Brock Boyd is the only other notable Buckeye still listed as questionable to play against Indiana.
On the flip side, Ohio State will have five starters back who didn’t play a week ago against Maryland. Wide receivers Brandon Inniss and Devin McCuin, cornerback Jay Timmons, linebacker Christian Alliegro, and offensive lineman Phillip Daniels will all return against the Hoosiers.
That’s a significant boost across the lineup. Inniss and McCuin give the passing game two more targets, and Timmons and Alliegro return to a defense that will face one of its toughest tests yet. Daniels coming back also helps an offensive line that will be without Siereveld.
Siereveld and Ja’Kobi Jackson are still the two notable absences for Ohio State heading into Bloomington. Losing a starting offensive lineman and a running back at the same time puts more pressure on the run game against a defense that has been tough up front.
Still, getting West off the availability report is welcome news for the Buckeyes. Ohio State is going to need its run game Saturday in Bloomington, and the backfield now has more depth than it appeared to have Wednesday. How the Buckeyes split the carries between Bo Jackson and West against Indiana’s front will be worth watching.
