Ohio State’s first Big Ten availability report brought a little more clarity - and a little more uncertainty - ahead of the Illinois game.
The Buckeyes listed three players out, but the bigger names on the report were Phillip Daniels and Zion Grady, both tagged as questionable. Kyle Parker was also listed as questionable, giving Ohio State a few important decisions to sort through before Saturday.
Daniels missed the Kent State game after getting hurt against Texas. With him sidelined, Austin Siereveld slid out to right tackle and Gabe VanSickle stepped in at right guard. That same combination could be in place again against Illinois.
Grady also picked up an injury against Texas and sat out against Kent State. He had played well before leaving that game, and his status for the Illini is still up in the air.
Parker’s situation has been even quieter, but the report at least confirms he remains in the mix. The LSU transfer receiver followed Cortez Hankton from LSU to Columbus, but he has not yet played for Ohio State because of an injury. At this point, any contribution from him on Saturday would be a surprise.
The three players ruled out are not major pieces for the Buckeyes. Offensive linemen Jaxon Powell and Vasean Washington are among that group, along with tight end Bennett Christian. Christian has not caught a pass this season.
Still, Ohio State would rather have Daniels and Grady available. Losing Daniels again would mean another game with a backup on the right side of the line, though the Buckeyes got decent work from that unit against Kent State. That could make the current setup a realistic option again.
Parker remains the most intriguing name on the report because of what he was supposed to bring. Ohio State added him from the transfer portal to help the receiver room, and the hope was that he could give the Buckeyes another target to pair with Jeremiah Smith. Instead, the production has gone elsewhere.
Parker caught 31 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns last season, and as a senior he was expected to be part of the answer. If he can’t get on the field against Illinois, he may end up buried on the depth chart for the rest of the year.
Ohio State heads to Iowa City next weekend.
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