Ohio State Buckeyes: Several starters unavailable for Akron game

Ohio State will have several starters sidelined when the 10th-ranked Buckeyes play host to Akron on Saturday night.

Defensive end Zach Harrison is available after missing last week’s win over Tulsa with an undisclosed injury, but two others from the DE rotation are not — Tyreke Smith and Javontae Jean-Baptiste.

Taron Vincent, one of the regulars in the rotation at defensive tackle, is also out so the front that takes on the Zips could be very young.

In the back seven, cornerback Cam Brown is not available, but linebacker Teradja Mitchell is. Mitchell is a captain who did not play last week.

On the other side of the ball, Ohio State will be without left guard Thayer Munford, and center Harry Miller is out again. Miller was the starter at left guard last year and projected to be the starting center this season, but he has not played yet this season.

Munford left last week’s game with an injury head coach Ryan Day said is not long term. Matt Jones is likely to start in his place after grading out as a champion last week in Munford’s absence.

C.J. Stroud’s name is not on the status report, but Day said Thursday the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback was likely to be used only on an emergency basis. He did not practice Tuesday or Wednesday as he continues to deal with a sore shoulder.

Kyle McCord is expected to start in his place with Jack Miller III possibly also getting his first snaps of the season.

Also unavailable this week are Kamryn Babb, Julian Fleming, Marcus Crowley, Tyler Friday, Jaylen Johnson, Trey Leroux, Mitchell Melton, Noah Potter, Josh Proctor and Ryan Smith.

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