OT Michalski’s status still unclear for Buckeyes

Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior WriterOct 29, 2024, 01:17 PM ET

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College football press reporter; signed up with ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.Ohio State offensive take on Zen Michalski, who was carted off late in Saturday’s win over Nebraska, could return this week at No. 3 Penn State.Coach Ryan Day said there hasn’t been a decision on Michalski’s status. Michalski made his very first start in place of Josh Simmons, who suffered a season-ending left knee injury in Ohio State’s Oct. 12 loss at Oregon. After Michalski suffered a lower-body injury in the fourth quarter, Ohio State moved Donovan Jackson from left guard to left tackle.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Day stated a determination on whether Michalski begins at Penn State will be made

after he’s cleared to return. Jackson would be the other option to begin at left tackle.”I don’t believe we have actually decided on that yet,” Day stated. “We’ll need to first see if he can go, and then go from there.

There were absolutely plays in the game where he got beat, and he was fighting therein, but then as soon as he got hurt, that undoubtedly altered things. He did not grade out a champ in the game and had some tough plays that triggered some negative plays, however we know what we see in practice, and we’ve got to continue to support him.”Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said Jackson “could play anywhere along the offending line “and is”incredibly confident”

in the senior, a two-time first-team All-Big Ten guard. The Buckeyes had only 64 hurrying lawns against Nebraska, less than half of their overall in any other game, and a season-low 21 points.Ohio State is set to start safety Lathan Ransom back from injury. Day stated Ransom, who is tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles and 4th on

the team with 26 deals with, will go through the full practice week after missing out on the Nebraska game with an undisclosed injury.