Head Coach Ryan Day Addresses Injuries Ahead Of Michigan Game

During Ryan Day’s weekly press conference Tuesday, the Ohio State head coach gave updates on the status of multiple of the Buckeyes key contributors who were banged up in weeks prior. 

On Caleb Downs’ podcast “Downs 2 Business” Monday, Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who missed Ohio State’s last outing against Rutgers and the entire second half against UCLA, said that he’ll be ready to go for Monday. 

However, when Day was asked about the status of Smith, as well as fellow wideout Carnell Tate, who has been inactive since Ohio State’s 34-10 win over Purdue Nov. 8, the head coach simply said the pair was working their hardest to play against Michigan. 

“They’re doing everything they can to play in the game,” Day said. “We’ll see how today goes, but they’re working really, really hard to get back on the field.” 

Ohio State’s star wideouts, Tate and Smith, weren’t the only Buckeyes who are working to get back onto the field. 

Offensive lineman Josh Padilla went down late in Ohio State’s 38-14 win over Penn State Nov. 1, and has since been absent on the Buckeyes front line.

“We’ll see how practice goes this week and see how he looks on the practice field, then make a decision from there,” Day said. “I think it just depends on how healthy he is.” 

Finally, Day said nickelback Lorenzo Styles is continuing to work his way back to full strength and remains a crucial piece of Ohio State’s defense. 

Day said that although Styles’ experience is critical, the staff is confident in the depth behind him — including freshman cornerback Devin Sanchez, who shifted to outside cornerback while Jermaine Mathews slid to nickel and has shown he can step in when called upon.

“Well, Lorenzo is somebody who has played a lot of football now and, I think when he made the transition from wide receiver to to defense, uh started at corner and then moved into nickel, he’s a guy who is a student of the game, works hard, has a great mindset, lives a life of discipline, and and you’re seeing him play his best football now. 

“When he’s out there um you know he makes an impact on our defense, communicates well, covers well, can tackle um you know and so you know we’ve worked hard to build depth at all positions and you know that’s not the first time that you know we’ve had to go and finish a game without Lorenzo. So if that were to come up again we’re confident that when we put the guys in the game we have the right personnel to get the job done.”