Ohio State is waiting on Ja’Kobi Jackson’s return, but there’s at least some optimism that the running back could be back for the regular-season finale against Michigan.
Jackson had surgery for a Lisfranc injury in his foot, a source told Eleven Warriors, after going down in the fourth quarter of the Buckeyes’ win over Maryland two weeks ago. He already missed last week’s game against Indiana, and he is expected to remain out for several more games while he recovers.
The Buckeyes would like to have him back for their rivalry game and the postseason, but they do not have a firm timetable. On Tuesday, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said he didn’t know when Jackson would return.
“We’ll just have to see on that,” Smith said.
Jackson, a seventh-year senior who transferred to Ohio State from Florida this offseason, has been one of the team’s more productive backs. Through Ohio State’s first six games, he ranked second on the roster in rushing with 354 yards and six touchdowns on 59 carries before the injury.
With Jackson unavailable against Indiana, Bo Jackson took on a heavy load and logged a career-high 52 snaps. He finished with 56 rushing yards on 18 carries, while Isaiah West and Legend Bey also got work at running back.
For now, Bo Jackson appears set to keep handling most of the snaps at the position, though West and Bey could see more chances in the weeks ahead as Ohio State tries to manage the workload and keep Bo fresh for the stretch run.
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Buckeyes Fans Had Two Former Stars To Watch All Over Sunday
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For Buckeyes followers, though, the intrigue went beyond the scoreboard and into the individual performances of a couple of ex-stars who continue to matter at the pro level. One was in Houston, where a familiar Ohio State connection had a new wrinkle in the Texans win, while another was out in Seattle, where the result did not go his teams way but his play still stood out enough to keep Columbus paying attention. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio States Title Push Suddenly Rests On A Freshman Quarterback
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Now the bye week has become as important as the switch itself, giving Ohio State time to get Fahey ready before the next game against the Trojans. For a team with bigger goals still in front of it, the focus is no longer just on replacing an injured starter, but on how quickly a freshman can settle in when the margin for error gets thin. [Read more 🡒]