Overview
- Six starters missed Ohio State’s 45-16 win over Maryland, forcing freshmen and sophomores into expanded roles on both offense and defense.
- On Tuesday, Ryan Day said he expects a majority of those players to be available for Saturday’s rematch at Indiana and specifically said Phillip Daniels should return to practice this week.
- Austin Siereveld is listed day-to-day after an illness that ruled him out hours before the Maryland game, while Devin McCuin and Jay Timmons were treated as game‑time decisions who warmed up but did not play.
- The uncertainty matters because Indiana’s defensive line ranks among the nation’s leaders in tackles for loss and sacks, making offensive-line health decisive for Ohio State’s game plan.
- This week’s practice reports and the Big Ten availability list are the key checkpoints that will determine whether the Buckeyes can rely on returning veterans or must continue to depend on underclassmen depth.