Ohio State Football: Minnesota could be without top receiver against OSU

It looks like the Ohio State football team might not have to face one of Minnesota’s best players in the opener.

While Ohio State football fans were made nervous by the sight of receiver Garrett Wilson working off to the side with other injured players Wednesday, Minnesota fans were made nervous by the sight of their top receiver being helped off the field after being tackled.

Buckeye fans can now relax. Wilson pretty much had the day off to limit the amount of work he’s getting. The Ohio State coaching staff charts every rep in practice to reduce wear and tear on players over the course of what has become a very long season.

The news may not be so good for Gopher fans. Their top returning receiver, Chris Autman-Bell, may miss the opener against the Buckeyes on September 2nd. He was tackled during a drill, landed awkwardly, and stayed down. After tending to what appeared to be a leg injury, the team’s medical staff helped him from the practice field. Head coach P.J. Fleck did not meet with the media after practice yesterday and is not scheduled to do so until Monday, so there is no update on Autman-Bell’s condition.

His importance to the Minnesota passing game can’t be understated. Autman-Bell is their leading returning receiver with 22 catches last year. The next three behind him combined for just 21 receptions. The Gophers are thin at this position even with Autman-Bell, without him they become extremely thin and inexperienced.

Dylan Wright, a big-bodied transfer (6’4”, 210) from Texas A&M, could provide help, but he does not have a reception in his career. For good reason, the Minnesota faithful are on some pins and needles right now waiting for news on Autman-Bell.

Losing Autman-Bell will certainly be a blow if it comes to that, but the Gophers do return a lot to their offense. A few weeks ago I wrote that running back Mohamed Ibrahim is one of the five best players the Buckeyes will face during the regular season.

He’s going to be able to run behind four returning starters on the offensive line, along with tight end Brice Witham. Tanner Morgan is back at quarterback. He connected on just 58% of his throws last season, but without his leading returning receiver, surpassing that number is going to be a chore.

We’re just under three weeks away from that opener. It’s around this time I start paying more attention to what is going on with Ohio State’s opening opponent. Right now, that opening opponent has a bit of a black cloud hanging over it.