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Ryan Day 'very positive' about status of Tanner McCalister, Cameron Martinez

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•10/06/22•

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Tanner McCalister played for new Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles at Oklahoma State. (Birm/Lettermen Row)

Ohio State is still dealing with key injuries to Tanner McCalister and Cameron Martinez heading into the game against Michigan State this week. Ryan Day sounded optimistic about their performances in practice this week, though.

During his Zoom call with reporters on Thursday, Day didn’t say much regarding injury updates, but said his two defenders put together a solid week of practice. That could bode well for their availabilities this week against Michigan State in East Lansing.

“I’d rather not get into any of the injury updates right now,” Day said. “Things can change so quickly and then, once I start commenting on one, I’ve got to comment on somebody else. But even with those guys, they had a good week of practice here, so very positive about them.”

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McCalister and Martinez both missed last week’s game against Rutgers with the injuries, but more clarity will come about their status for this week as kickoff draws closer. Ohio State and Michigan State will face off Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Ryan Day provides injury updates on Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jordan Hancock

Ohio State has been without some key pieces during its 2022 season so far, but has maintained a perfect record and stood firm at No. 3 in the polls behind a fluctuating opinion on Alabama and Georgia at the top. However, as the Buckeyes get healthy, they look primed to compete alongside anyone in the hunt for a national championship this year.

Head coach Ryan Day has spent plenty time over the past several weeks relaying messages on the health of wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and defensive back Jordan Hancock, and his most recent press conference was no different. He started by providing the latest timeline for Hancock, who he initially projected would make a return several weeks ago.

“Full-speed, yeah,” Day said on Hancock’s practice workload. “But we’re going to look to see if we can get through the bye week and then as we get to that game after the bye week, we’re hoping to get him back into the game at that point. It’s still sort of week-to-week at this point.”