Injuries starting to take toll on Buckeyes

10/27/2009

COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Buckeyes have not had a major injury claim a starter since the 2009 season began, but the nickel-and-dime stuff keeps accumulating as OSU gets ready to play New Mexico State this week before a potential gauntlet of three final Big Ten games.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said Tuesday afternoon at his weekly news conference here that he expects to be without starting offensive lineman Mike Adams for a couple of weeks as Adams deals with a minor knee injury. Defensive tackle Dexter Larimore, who sprained his knee against Indiana a month ago, might return to practice this week, but is still questionable for Saturday's game.

Tailback Brandon Saine, the starter the past four weeks while Dan “Boom” Herron has been sidelined with an ankle sprain, left last week's game against Minnesota with a possible concussion and is being held out of contact work and still being evaluated. Tressel said Herron continues his rehab, but remains “questionable” for Saturday's game.

Tressel said offensive lineman J.B. Shugarts is recovering from a bruised ankle, while fellow lineman Andrew Miller has improved significantly after missing most of the last month with the flu, which caused Miller to shed a bunch of weight. Offensive linemen Michael Brewster and Justin Boren are both working through minor injuries and improving, Tressel said. Offensive lineman Jim Cordle, who missed four games with an ankle injury, is back in the regular playing rotation, Tressel said.

The Buckeyes (6-2, 4-1 Big Ten) play New Mexico State (3-5, 1-3 WAC) at noon on Saturday in Ohio Stadium before closing out the season with road games against Penn State and Michigan wrapped around a home date with unbeaten Big Ten leader Iowa.