Ohio State has implemented a new procedure regarding injuries. They will no longer talk about specific players and injuries, but every Friday they will release an availability report.
The first availability report has been released and the Buckeyes will be without a number of key contributors.
As expected, senior defensive end Jonathon Cooper is out. He suffered an ankle injury a couple of weeks ago in camp. Nose tackle Robert Landers said Cooper would be back this season, but Ohio State is not commenting.
Also out for the Buckeyes are senior H-back CJ Saunders, senior tight end Rashod Berry, and sophomore defensive tackle Taron Vincent.
With Saunders out, expect to see quite a bit from redshirt freshman H-back Jaelen Gill. The same goes for sophomore tight end Jeremy Ruckert, who will get a good number of snaps as the No. 2 tight end on Saturday.
Ohio State has also announced sophomore defensive ends Tyler Friday and Tyreke Smith as game-time decisions, as is junior running back Demario McCall.
Because of the injuries at defensive end, senior defensive tackle Jashon Cornell has been moved to defensive end this week. With both Cornell and Vincent not at defensive tackle this week, the Buckeyes are expected to start Robert Landers and Davon Hamilton together on Saturday.
You will also see quite a bit from redshirt freshman defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste, as well as true freshman defensive end Zach Harrison.
You can check out the entire availability report below.
Ohio State vs. Florida Atlantic – Aug. 31, 2019 – Ohio Stadium
Game-Time Decision
§ DE Tyler Friday
§ RB Demario McCall
§ DE Tyreke Smith
Unavailable
§ WR Kamryn Babb
§ TE Rashod Berry
§ DE Jonathon Cooper
§ DT Noah Donald
§ SAF Owen Fankhouser
§ TE Cormontae Hamilton
§ SAF Ronnie Hickman
§ LB Justin Hilliard
§ CB Lloyd McFarquhar
§ DT Jaden McKenzie
§ H-B C.J. Saunders
§ DT Taron Vincent
Thanks for the update!