Ohio State will be down a weapon at tight end when it plays Ohio on Saturday, though the Buckeyes remain healthy as a team.
Bennett Christian is listed as out with an undisclosed injury on Ohio State's status report entering the bout with the Bobcats. The injury list remains otherwise unchanged from the Buckeyes' Week 2 game against Grambling State.
| OSU STATUS REPORT FOR OHIO |
|---|
| Out |
|
TE Bennett Christian CB Brenten "Inky" Jones TE Max LeBlanc DT Jason Moore QB Mason Maggs RB Anthony "Turbo" Rogers DT Maxwell Roy S Deshawn Stewart DT Ahmed Tounkara WR Preston Wolfe |
Christian carved out a rotational role as a blocking tight end for Ohio State in 2024 and carried that momentum into 2025. He's seen use over projected star tight end Max Klare in 12 and 13 personnel packages centered on the running game, though Klare is still the Buckeyes' starter as he tries to deliver on the promise of his receiving prowess. Christian has played 32 snaps through two games, 28 of them against then-No. 1 Texas in Week 1, and caught two passes for two yards.
In his absence, Jelani Thurman will be the clear-cut third tight end for Ohio State and could similarly see use over Klare in run-oriented 12 personnel packages. Klare and former Bobcat Will Kacmarek remain the Buckeyes' top two tight ends on the depth chart. Freshman Nate Roberts could also see a bump in playing time.
Backup defensive tackle Jason Moore remains out with a lower-body injury, as he has been all season. Touted freshman running back Anthony "Turbo" Rogers also remains out. All of the Buckeyes’ starters are available.
