Ohio State Football: Avery Henry and Grant Toutant forced to retire

The Ohio State football team’s offensive line depth took another major hit before camp even started. It was confirmed by Ryan Day during the Big 10 Media Days in Indianapolis, Indiana that both Grant Toutant and Avery Henry have had to medically retire from the game of football.

Henry was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma last year and spent the end of the season into the winter fighting the disease. Avery announced in May that he was cancer free and ready to return to the team. We now know that returning to the team doesn’t mean he will be returning to the field as doctors will not be clearing him to play.

Avery confirmed this announcement via Twitter.

Concerning Henry, Day did state that he will remain with the team before talking about Henry’s cancer battle and recovery.

"“They (the Avery family) felt like it was a blessing to be at Ohio State, to have The James (Cancer Hospital) right there, to be able to be in his dorm, to go right there to go get his treatment. He had to have a procedure done that will make it virtually impossible to play football. … He’s in remission, which is great, but there’s still a lot of things that come with that and so we’re very, very proud of him for fighting; for living our culture of the fight.”"

As for Toutant, it is unclear at this time what medical reason is to blame for the end of his career with the Ohio State football program. The Buckeyes now are at the NCAA scholarship limit of 75 with 16 being on the offensive line.

We hope nothing but the best for these two young men moving forward.