Ohio State head coach Ryan Day confirmed after practice on Friday that linebacker Steele Chambers and wide receiver Xavier Johnson will be sidelined for the remainder of the spring after suffering injuries.
Chambers, who had been a full participant in spring practice to this point, was seen during Friday’s practice on crutches, though Day said they expect Chambers back after the spring.
“(Chambers will) be back,” Day said. “He’ll have a procedure done, but he’ll be back for preseason and should have a pretty good summer.”
The injuries leave the Buckeyes without their top two linebackers, as Tommy Eichenberg is also out for the spring. C.J. Hicks and Cody Simon have filled in for the majority of first-team reps, while Reid Carrico and Gabe Powers have drilled with the second unit. As for Johnson, he had a boot on his left leg and was walking around with the use a mobility scooter during practice.
“Xavier is probably a little bit longer, but still we’ll have him for the summer,” Day said. “It’s not going to be something that’s going to affect him in the preseason.”
Ohio State is also missing Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming in addition to Johnson, leaving Marvin Harrison Jr. as the only starter from last season still participating in the spring.
