Ohio State Football Status Report: Denzel Burke and Lathan Ransom Out Vs. Rutgers, Emeka Egbuka and Devin Brown Available

Ohio State's starting secondary has suffered a second blow heading into its matchup with Rutgers.

Star cornerback Denzel Burke is out for the second time in three weeks after missing the Penn State game with an injury on Oct. 21. Lathan Ransom, who was confirmed to have not traveled with the team for its road tilt, joins Burke as a second member of the Buckeye secondary who will not play against the Scarlet Knights.

Burke's been a force for Ohio State in the seven games he's played, breaking up nine passes with an interception, nine tackles, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble recovered by Tyleik Williams for a touchdown against Western Kentucky in Week 3.

When the junior had to miss the Buckeyes' top-10 showdown against Penn State after exiting with an apparent lower-body injury the week prior at Purdue, it was a combination of fellow junior corner Jordan Hancock and freshman Jermaine Mathews Jr. that replaced him to much success. Ransom's injury means it likely won't be a combination effort against Rutgers, however.

Hancock normally rotates with Sonny Styles at nickel, and the times he lined up inside against the Nittany Lions were when Mathews would enter at cornerback.

With Styles taking Ransom's place at bandit, however, Hancock will likely be the Buckeyes' full-time nickel, clearing the way for Mathews to play full-time on the outside.

RELATED Jim Knowles has "No Concerns" About Playing Sonny Styles at Deep Safety

Mathews recorded three tackles and a pass breakup against Penn State in his lone career start. He also picked up a 58-yard pick-six in garbage time against Western Kentucky.

All of Ohio State's other starters are available against Rutgers, including the team's No. 2 wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. Backup quarterback Devin Brown is also not listed on the team's status report after being carted off the field against the Nittany Lions, indicating that he is available for Saturday's contest.

Third-string running back Miyan Williams has been confirmed as being out for the season.