Ryan Day provides injury updates on secondary, praises young replacements

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day provided an update on the health of his starting secondary and shared praise for how his players stepped up. The Buckeyes began their Big Ten season against Wisconsin with a 52-21 win last week without both of their starting cornerbacks, as Denzel Burke and Cameron Brown were unable to play.

Ryan Day updates secondary injuries

“Again, we’re not expecting those to be long-term things,” said Day of the injuries to Burke and Cameron Brown. “But not having those guys in there and their experience is a concern going into the game. But Jyaire and JK have been practicing. They practiced really hard all spring, they practiced all preseason, they’ve been out there. And we told them right before the game that everybody in the team believes in them, and we do.

“And they had no fear, and they went out there and played and they did a really good job. I mean, I don’t know what the film is going to show but I know they competed and I thought Tim Walton did a really good job getting them ready. And I’m proud of those guys to be able to win a conference game with them in there. Both, really, I guess that’s their first start each.”

Burke suffered an injury prior to game day, but was still expected to play until the decision was made on Saturday to sit him. Brown was already ruled inactive for the game after suffering an injury during their game against Toledo the week before. In their stead, Jyaire Brown and Jakailin Johnson took up the starting duties in their first career start each.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

The Ohio State secondary got the job done against Wisconsin, holding the Badgers to just 104 passing yards on the day with one touchdown and one interception. As Day explained, the Buckeyes do not expect to be without their starters as the season continues — but seeing true freshman Jyaire Brown and redshirt freshman Jakailin Johnson step up is a big relief amid injury concerns.

The No. 3 Buckeyes are now 4-0 to start their season, and will host Rutgers next week as they continue to cement their position at the top of the AP Poll.