Ryan Day discusses importance of depth, getting healthy

Ohio State coach Ryan Day spoke over the weekend about the importance of building for depth on a roster when inevitable injuries occur. Day was fielding questions after the big win over Michigan State on Saturday and was asked how he felt knowing that his team wasn’t at “100 percent” on the field yet due to injuries.

Day took the chance to explain how the idea of being full-strength is not one you can rely on, citing their preseason roster building as the most important part of preparing for injuries.

Ryan Day on building for depth

“Yeah sometimes. But also I feel like, it’s rare in today’s day and age where you are — you do have a full deck. Just the way the game’s played,” said Day. “Typically you have to play depth, and we know that. When we talk about it in the preseason, who’s your tailback going to be? We always say we’re gonna need two. I don’t know how it’s gonna shake up but we’re gonna need two. How about a receiver? We’re gonna need five. We just know we’re gonna need this many guys because things happen.

“But it is exciting to know that if we can get everybody back in there at full strength, then certainly we can put a lot of stress on defenses.”

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Although Day and the Buckeyes clearly prepared for injuries before the season, the timing of their bye week this week is a good thing for them as they continue to recover from several key injuries.

Ohio State has played without star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the past three games as he battles a hamstring injury suffered in the season opener. Running back Miyan Williams also missed last week’s game against Michigan State after being seen wearing a knee brace at practice.

Day spoke about the timing during a Tuesday press conference as well, highlighting that it gives them extra time to get healthy and closer to that “100 percent” mark.

“I think it does come at a good time and you bring up a good point,” said Day. “There’s times where you start to get into a rhythm and you don’t want that bye week. I don’t know if that’s the case here. We’re gonna practice today, tomorrow and Thursday. Really put some good three days of practice in and keep grinding on this thing. But it does allow us to get healthy heading into the Iowa game.”