Kenyatta Jackson Jr. should be back on the field sooner than later.
Ryan Day said Tuesday that the Ohio State defensive end, who left Saturday’s season opener against Texas with an undisclosed injury, is “working toward getting back to play this game.”
Jackson left Saturday’s game after going down on a play near the goal line in the third quarter. The redshirt junior defensive end, who made his first career start against the Longhorns, stayed down on the field for a couple of minutes before walking off the field under his own power. After a trip to the medical tent, Jackson returned to the sideline without his helmet.
Day did not specify what injury Jackson suffered.
If Jackson is unable to play, Ohio State’s defensive end rotation against Grambling State will be led by Caden Curry, Beau Atkinson and C.J. Hicks, the other three defensive ends who played against Texas. Other candidates to play behind them include Idaho State transfer Logan George, true freshmen Zion Grady and Epi Sitanilei, redshirt freshman Dominic Kirks and redshirt sophomore Joshua Mickens.
Ohio State shouldn’t need to rush Jackson back this week, as the Buckeyes are heavily favored to beat their opponent from the FCS. That said, Day’s comments indicate his injury won’t be anything that keeps Jackson sidelined long-term.
The Buckeyes’ second game of the season against Grambling State is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff at Ohio Stadium and will be televised by Big Ten Network.
