Ohio State heads to Bloomington for Saturday’s top-five showdown against Indiana without a pair of important contributors, according to the Big Ten’s first availability report of the week (released Wednesday night). The Buckeyes will be missing starting offensive lineman Austin Siereveld and running back Ja’Kobi Jackson, though several players who sat out last week’s win over Maryland are expected back.
Who’s Out
- Austin Siereveld (OL) — Ruled out for a second straight game due to a non-football illness. The experienced lineman (26 career starts, Second-Team All-Big Ten last year) has been a key piece on the right side of the line.
- Ja’Kobi Jackson (RB) — Out after starting the last two games. He was seen limping after the Maryland game with an apparent ankle issue. He had 59 carries for 354 yards and 6 TDs this season.
- Also out: Safety Leroy Roker, safety Khmari Bing, wide receiver Amari Valerio-Hudson, and offensive lineman Jaxon Powell.
Questionable
- Wide receiver Brock Boyd
- Running back Anthony “Turbo” Rogers
- Running back Isaiah West
- Defensive end Khary Wilder
- Offensive lineman Deontae Armstrong
Who’s Expected to Play / Returning
These players were not listed on the report after missing time last week, indicating they are available:
- Wide receivers Brandon Inniss and Devin McCuin
- Linebacker Christian Alliegro
- Nickel/corner Jay Timmons
- Right tackle Phillip Daniels
What It Means
With Siereveld out, Phillip Daniels is in line to return at right tackle after missing recent games, and the line will reshuffle (Gabe VanSickle is expected to slide back to right guard). On the ground, Bo Jackson becomes the clear lead back. If Isaiah West can’t go, freshman Legend Bey could see a bigger role against a stout Indiana run defense.
Coach Ryan Day said after Wednesday’s practice that the Buckeyes are “getting some guys back” but will “probably not” be 100% healthy. “There’ll still be a few guys that’ll go down to the wire here,” he noted.
The Big Ten updates the availability report Thursday and Friday evenings (around 8 p.m. ET), with a final game-day version Saturday morning. Statuses can still change before kickoff (noon ET on FOX).
This is the current picture heading into the week’s biggest game. Check back for the Thursday night update.
