Ohio State injury updates: Pete Thamel gives latest on Buckeyes stars vs. Notre Dame

Heading into tonight’s College Football Playoff national championship game between Ohio State and Notre Dame, both sides are dealing with a handful of injuries worth monitoring.

For the Buckeyes, one of the biggest stars is on the mend. That’s defender JT Tuimoloau, who was hurt in a game against Texas.

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Luckily, it sounds like the veteran will attempt to gut it out tonight against the Fighting Irish.

“Well JT Tuimoloau, we can call him a football guy,” ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on College Football Live. “He sprained his ankle and told me that it was just a little basketball ankle roll. he went out for a few series against Texas, he came back with that ankle heavily taped. We’ll see in pregame if that ankle’s taped again and if it impacts him. He had a very good second half against Texas.”

The talented Ohio State defensive end is having a monster season, having logged 56 tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three pass breakups and five quarterback hurries.

Suffice it to say if he’s healthy the Ohio State defense takes a significant step forward.

There’s one other potential problem spot to watch, though.

“The place to watch pre-game for Ohio State is going to be on their offensive line,” Thamel said. “They’ve rotated three different guards during this CFP. Austin Siereveld did not start in the last game against Texas, Luke Montgomery got his first career start. Siereveld was banged up. He told me he’s back and ready to go. We’ll see if Montgomery gets his second start tonight. His first one since high school came against the Longhorns.”

Siereveld, who redshirted during the 2023 season for Ohio State, has seen action in 15 games this season.

Ohio State and Notre Dame are set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.