Ohio State rules out Smith-Njigba, Williams

Ohio State will as soon as once more be with out star vast receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for Saturday’s recreation at Michigan State, whereas main rusher Miyan Williams additionally will sit out.

Smith-Njigba, a third-team AP All-America workforce choice in 2021, injured his hamstring within the season opener towards Notre Dame and has appeared in just one different recreation. He has solely 4 receptions on the season, as Ohio State is being additional cautious about his return.

“We’re hoping to get him again this week,” coach Ryan Day stated Tuesday. “However once more, it is simply so onerous to inform. He can are available at this time and say, ‘Nicely, I had a bit of little bit of a setback,’ or he is actually doing good, he is trending to play on Saturday.”

Williams, the workforce’s backup operating again, began final week rather than TreVeyon Henderson and tied an Ohio State single-game file with 5 speeding touchdowns and 190 yards in a win over Rutgers. Williams leads the Buckeyes in carries (64), speeding yards (497) and speeding touchdowns (8). Ohio State has not disclosed his harm, however it’s not thought-about severe and Williams is predicted again for the Iowa recreation, in line with a supply.

Henderson just isn’t listed on Ohio State’s standing report for Michigan State. Day stated Tuesday that he anticipated Henderson, who has 318 speeding yards and 4 touchdowns, to play within the workforce’s Huge Ten street opener towards the Spartans.

Cornerback Cam Brown, who final performed Sept. 17 towards Toledo, is predicted to return towards Michigan State. Guard Enokk Vimahi can be a game-time determination.

After Michigan State, Ohio State has an open week earlier than internet hosting Iowa on Oct. 22.