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Game-time decision could stretch already thin Buckeyes defensive line

Austin-Wardby:Austin Ward•01/01/22•

AWardSports

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Ohio State defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste is a game-time decision against Utah. (John McGillen/Rose Bowl)

PASADENA, Calif. — Already stretched thin, Ohio State will have to wait until after warmups to find out if it’s taking another hit.

The Buckeyes have already had the depth chart ravaged on the defensive line in the buildup to the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. But it might have one more rotation regular missing for a matchup that figures to provide a significant test for Ohio State in the trenches.

Edge rusher Javontae Jean-Baptiste will be a game-time decision for the program on Saturday, the only mild surprise left on an availability report that otherwise just confirmed what has been projected all week in Southern California. Ohio State is not even close to full strength for the Rose Bowl, but it’s also in no mood for excuses as the season comes to a close against Utah.

“Certainly we’ve had our adversity over the last month,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said on Friday morning at L.A. Live. “But what a great opportunity for some of our younger guys to come in and start this thing off the right way. Certainly at receiver, that’s going to be a great opportunity for them. We’ve talked about it before, there’s a good portion of this team that will be coming back next year, so what a great opportunity for them to play in this game against a very good team in Utah.

“It’s a big challenge for our guys. … But we feel like we’ve got plenty.”

Taking Jean-Baptiste out of the mix would be another blow for a defensive line that already had Haskell Garrett and Antwuan Jackson scratched from the lineup this week. That will obviously add to the challenge against the physical, run-heavy Utes — particularly on the heels of the issues Ohio State had against the rush in the loss to Michigan.

Jean-Baptiste’s status is the only remaining uncertainty for the Buckeyes according to the official availability report released on Saturday afternoon by the program. Make note that Ohio State only included injury, illness and players in rehabilitation and not any of the opt-out decisions or roster defections that have left the lineup well short of the scholarship limit.

The full Ohio State availability report:

Ohio State Game-Time Decisions

  • DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste

Unavailable Buckeyes

  • QB J.P. Andrade
  • WR Kamryn Babb
  • CB Sevyn Banks
  • RB Marcus Crowley
  • DB Jantzen Dunn
  • DE Tyler Friday
  • OL Josh Fryar
  • DT Haskell Garrett
  • DT Antwuan Jackson
  • DB Jaylen Johnson
  • LB Cade Kacherski
  • DT Jaden McKenzie
  • LB Mitchell Melton
  • OL Harry Miller
  • LB Jalen Pace
  • DT Noah Potter
  • SAF Josh Proctor
  • LB Cody Simon
  • DB Marcus Williamson

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