This week is the first time that Big Ten teams will have to file an availability report days before a game is played. Ryan Day hates giving up injury information before Ohio State football games. Day usually likes to keep that information close to the chest leading up to game day.
However, a new rule means that Big Ten teams need to release availability reports. The first one goes right before the Illinois game. The Buckeyes have listed three players out, but the more interesting fact is that Phillip Daniels and Zion Grady are listed as questionable.
Two key Buckeyes are listed as questionable vs. Illinois
Daniels missed the Kent State game after being injured against Texas. That meant that Austin Siereveld was kicked out to right tackle, and Gabe VanSickle was put in at right guard. That could be the same offensive line combination used this weekend against Illinois.
Grady was also injured against Texas and did not play against Kent State. He played well against the Longhorns before being injured. He is also listed as questionable to play against the Illini. Kyle Parker is also listed as questionable for the Illinois game.
Parker is a transfer receiver from LSU who followed Cortez Hankton from LSU to Columbus. He has yet to play a game for the Buckeyes, as he has been dealing with an injury. At this point, anything he would give to the Buckeyes on Saturday would be a surprise.
None of the players who are ruled out are key contributors for Ohio State. Offensive linemen Jaxon Powell and Vasean Washington are two of the three players ruled out. Tight end Bennett Christian is the other player who is ruled out. Christian has yet to catch a pass this season.
Ohio State would be more concerned if they did not have Daniels or Grady. Having to play a backup offensive lineman for the second straight game would not be ideal. However, the right side of the line played fairly well without him in the lineup. This could be a lineup they consider to pursue.
Ohio State needs to get Kyle Parker on the field somehow
Parker was brought in this offseason from the Transfer Portal to help the wide receiver room. However, the Buckeyes have yet to get any production from him. As the Buckeyes continue to try to figure out a second receiver to help Jeremiah Smith out, getting Parker out there would be helpful.
Last season, Parker caught 31 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns. As a senior, he was expected to help Ohio State in a big way. However, the Buckeyes have pivoted elsewhere. If they don't get him on the field against the Illini, he likely will be buried on the depth chart all year.
Ohio State has gotten through the non-conference portion of the schedule relatively healthy, so this report isn't so bad. However, making a decision on the offensive line needs to be made before Ohio State travels to Iowa City next weekend.
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