COLUMBUS — Speaking with the media on Monday, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer said quarterback J.T. Barrett is still dealing with a knee injury that forced him out of Saturday’s win over Michigan.
Barrett’s status, however, is improving.
“Moved into probable. He’s doing a nice job with all the rehab,” Meyer said.
Barrett is not yet practicing, but the Buckeyes have only had one practice since the game, which took place on Sunday. The players are off on Monday, and they will return to the practice field on Tuesday.
Whether Barrett will be back on the field tomorrow is still up in the air.
“To-be-determined,” Meyer said on Monday.
As to the nature and extent of Barrett’s injury, Meyer didn’t have all of the details and even trying to describe the situation, he was unable to provide too much information.
“Cartilage. A meniscus,” he said. “Yeah, I don’t want to pretend that I know. I’ve dealt with it before, but it’s a cartilage that once it comes out of the area — I shouldn’t even — I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about.”
They will continue to work on Barrett’s knee this week in an effort to get him ready for Saturday.
Until then, the reps in practice belong to Dwayne Haskins and Joe Burrow. Haskins is currently getting the starter’s reps, and that is expected to continue until Barrett returns to practice.
Even then, however, Meyer will prepare for a situation where Barrett won’t be able to play on Saturday by splitting reps between he and Haskins.
Ohio State assistant coaches and players will meet with the media following practice on Tuesday, so more will be known about Barrett’s status then.
Let JT make the start even if he has to leave after first series. he has earned it!!!
GO BUCKEYES!!!
fine play Barrett and lose
A different QB in 2014 is what got us in the playoffs and eventual championship. If that is the goal this year then sign me up for Haskins! If loyalty is the issue, and I’m cool with that, then Barrett it is. I could see a possible lopsided win with Haskins. With JT, I see a 60 minute struggle that could go either way or just a 60 minute struggle for the scarlet and gray.
I believe he said his knee popped out of place twice during the game, wow that is scary. To be prudent I think we need to give Haskins and Burrows all the reps this week and lets face it JT can run this simple offense in his sleep or blindfolded. A fresh and well rested JT just might be what the doctor ordered. If JT can not go or his knee pops out again during the game you have Haskins with most the reps, and Burrows with some reps so that they are at least prepared. The young guys need the reps.
The one thing about JT and the love and admiration our coaching staff has for him and his knowledge of our offense that I just can not understand is why don’t the coaches let JT run a true uptempo offense or at least the 2 minute offense. You guys know we always get to the line and everyone looks over to the sideline to get the play so why not really put a defense on their heels and let our coach on the field call some plays? I have never understood this or why we did not experiment with it when we had huge leads. This is JT biggest asset and we never use it.
Go Bucks!
If Barrett’s able – and not hampered in mobility – he needs and deserves to be in there. If not, Haskins looks like a solid option. It’s a credit not only to the redshirt freshman but also to the staff for having him ready to step in if needed.
On pure ability, Haskins tops Barrett in most respects – but you can’t teach experience and leadership.
Go Bucks!
I get all the calls for Haskins to play after Saturday’s brilliant performance.
What I DON’T get is the casual dismissal of 35 tOSU and B1G records, especially saying “he can’t hit the deep ball”, when he’s the 7th-most-efficient QB in the nation as of this moment.
You’re NEVER going to get a perfect QB and Haskins isn’t either.
But Barrett’s EARNED this more than any of us have and yes, he’s still the BEST option for us to win. Coaches really need to open up the game like they do against lesser competition though.
Was he the best option this past Saturday when he left in the 3rd quarter with 30 yds passing and 60+ running and the team losing? I love Barrett for being a stellar Buckeye during his career but those stats will get us a giant L on Saturday night!
Jim,
Yes, he was. You’re forgetting that his 2nd-to-last drive TTUN’s defense was starting to wear down and only a bad Billy Price snap stopped them. On his last drive his last play went for 9 yards and who is to say that J.T. wouldn’t have also driven the Bucks to a score. We’ve all seen J.T. have great 2nd halves and this, in my OPINION, would’ve been no different.
I wonder which QB Wisconsin fears more? Barrett deserves the start, no doubt, but if he is hobbled or “off”, it would be interesting to see if the coaching staff could pull him.
With our defense? and our running backs? I’m comfortable with Haskins.
After Saturday, Haskins will be fine if he has to play this week. Might force the play callers to let our two very talented tailbacks carry the ball 30-35 times combined which is what they should be getting every game. If he has to play, hopefully they will call a wide open game and not try to protect him. Let him play. Let him throw the ball. We really have nothing to lose in my opinion because I don’t think there is any way the playoff committee puts two loss Ohio State in over one loss Alabama assuming everyone else wins as expected.
Barrett is playing barring a severed limb.
Tim, I agree that we will be fine with Haskins and at best, no worse. The problem is when Barrett gets into tough games, he pulls the ball during the option and tries to do everything himself. In every game they’ve lost to good teams (Oklahoma, Clemson, etc) the talented running backs get limited carries. This was true in the game a couple years ago where Elliott complained about too few touches.
… like it or not.