Ohio State will officially be without both tight end Will Kacmarek and left tackle Zen Michalski in Saturday’s matchup against No. 3 Penn State, but safety Lathan Ransom returns to action after having to miss the 21-17 win over Nebraska a week ago.
Michalski was injured in the fourth quarter of the win over the Cornhuskers in his first game starting as a replacement for Josh Simmons, who is out for the season with his own injury.
Who is replacing Michalski at the left tackle position the first offensive snap is something to watch for. It could be usual left guard Donovan Jackson sliding over with possible replacements for that position being Austin Siereveld, who filled in for Jackson early this season when he was injured, or Carson Hinzman, who started 12 of 13 games in 2023 at center.
Kacmarek is still dealing with an injury that he suffered on the first drive of the loss to Oregon, and there is no timetable for when he might be able to return.
The tight end rotation of Gee Scott, Jelani Thurman, Bennett Christian and Pat Gurd will likely continue against the Nittany Lions, although Scott should get the lion’s share of the reps as he has been.
Also out for the game are wide receiver Reis Stocksdale, running back TC Caffey and Simmons.
Here is the full availability report:
Questionable
- None
Out
- TE Will Kacmarek
- OT Zen Michalski
- WR Reis Stocksdale
- RB TC Caffey (season)
- OT Josh Simmons (season)
