Ohio State will remain without wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba against Penn State and also be down a pair of starters, with cornerback Cameron Brown out for the second consecutive week and longsnapper Bradley Robinson listed as unavailable when the Buckeyes kick off against the Nittany Lions at noon on FOX.
Smith-Njigba played briefly last week against Iowa before exiting the game after reaching a pitch count, which coincided with him seemingly tweaking his leg. Ohio State will also be without wide receivers Kamryn Babb, Caleb Brown and Corban Cleveland, as well as tight end Joe Royer on offense.
On defense, Brown is out for the fourth time this season after also missing time earlier this season against Wisconsin, Rutgers and last week against Iowa, though the Buckeyes saw the return of cornerback Jordan Hancock last week to help bolster depth at safety.
The Buckeyes will also be without safety Kourt Williams, who has been “banged up,” according to defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, and will also be without defensive end Omari Abor, cornerback Lloyd McFarquahr, linebackers Teradja Mitchell and Jalen Pace.
Ohio State will also be without a usual starter on special teams, as Robinson will be out after leaving last week’s win over Iowa. Longsnapper Mason Arnold is expected to start in his place after filling in against the Hawkeyes.
The Buckeyes will also be without several that have been ruled out for the season, including running back Evan Pryor, defensive end Mitchell Melton and running back TC Caffey. No players are game-time decisions.
Unavailable
- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
- CB Cameron Brown
- LS Bradley Robinson
- SAF Kourt Williams II
- WR Kamryn Babb
- LB Teradja Mitchell
- DE Omari Abor
- WR Caleb Burton
- TE Joe Royer
- LB Jalen Pace
- WR Corban Cleveland
- CB Lloyd McFarquhar
- RB TC Caffey
- DE Mitchell Melton
- RB Evan Pryor
