Zen Michalski injury update: Ryan Day reveals significant update on Ohio State OL's status

Ohio State left tackle Zen Michalski is trending toward not playing in Saturday’s game against Penn State, coach Ryan Day said Wednesday. Michalski was carted off this past week in a 21-17 win against Nebraska after suffering a lower-body injury in the fourth quarter.

That leaves the Buckeyes extremely thin at the position, as Michalski was already filling in for an injured Josh Simmons. Ohio State moved Donovan Jackson from left guard to left tackle as a result of the injury to Michalski on Saturday and that is likely what it will roll out against the Nittany Lions.

Jackson, a senior, is a two-time first team All-Big Ten selection who is capable of playing multiple spots on the line. The Buckeyes will certainly need him to step it up in this top five matchup with College Football Playoff implications.

Day added that Ohio State has “a pretty good plan moving forward” but did not offer a timetable for Zen Michalski to return from injury. For now they’ll have to do the best they can without his services as they look to avoid a second Big Ten loss and put themselves back in the conference title race.

Ohio State has been one of the better teams in the country at protecting the quarterback this year with only one sack allowed per game. However, their depth will be tested this week in what is the biggest game of the season to date.

Kickoff between the Buckeyes and Penn State is set for noon ET on Saturday at Beaver Stadium.

Ryan Day emphasizes importance of Penn State game: ‘A chance to go to Indianapolis is on the line’

For the second time in the last three games, the Buckeyes are going on the road to play a top-three opponent. A loss would muddy their path to the Big Ten Championship, especially considering both No. 1 Oregon and No. 13 Indiana are currently undefeated. A win, on the other hand, would keep Ohio State on a path to Lucas Oil Stadium, potentially to face the Ducks in a rematch.

“What an unbelievable opportunity right here,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said Tuesday, when discussing his team’s upcoming bout with the Nittany Lions.

“I mean, a chance to go to Indianapolis is on the line. And our guys are excited about playing in this game. I think the defense got a lot of confidence coming off of last week, the way that they played in creating TFLs and winning the game in the fourth quarter. I thought they were flying around. And so, if we get the offense playing the way it has in the past, combined with the way we played on defense this past week, that’s what we’re looking for in this game.”

On3’s Andy Backstrom contributed to this report.