Will Kacmarek injury update: Ryan Day gives positive news on Buckeyes tight end
COLUMBUS — Ohio State starting tight end Will Kacmarek hasn’t been in action for the Buckeyes since their road loss to Oregon last month.
But the Buckeyes could be getting him back sooner than initially expected, which would add a major boost to their offense for the stretch run of the season.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day was asked Wednesday night about Kacmarek’s progress as he works back from an undisclosed upper-body injury, and his update was certainly promising.
“He’s doing great,” Day said of Kacmarek. “He’s healing quickly. He’s still a couple weeks away, but he is doing great. All the reports back from the training room and from Mick is that he’s a little bit ahead of schedule, so that’s encouraging.
“We’re excited to hopefully get him back here in a couple weeks.”
Kacmarek left the Oregon game after just a few plays following a 32-yard reception that set up the game’s opening touchdown by quarterback Will Howard. He hasn’t played since then.
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In his absence, the Buckeyes have relied on a group effort from the tight end unit, especially in run-blocking — where Kacmarek was thriving for Ohio State.
“Solid,” Day said of the tight ends and their play in Kacmarek’s absence. “That’s another position where if you don’t notice them, that’s a good thing. We still want better play across the board there. But I think overall, it’s been solid. I think those guys are fighting to get better, and you’re seeing more and more guys get in there. You saw Jelani make a big play for us. That was huge. So you’re seeing us play with 13 personnel. I mean, those guys were on the field during that four-minute drill. You know, they were a big part. There’s three guys, three tight ends, out there, going to finish the game off.
“So they’re doing a lot of things right, and we’ve got to keep building with that group.”
Now that the group has played more and more without Kacmarek, his eventual return will be a massive boost to the offense. That return could be coming soon.
Ohio State has four games remaining in the regular season. Don’t expect to see Kacmarek this week, but he’ll be in the lineup at some point down the road.
