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.