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Buckeyes expect star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to play this weekend

Spencer-Holbrookby:Spencer Holbrook•09/13/22•

SpencerHolbrook

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Jaxon Smith-Njigba is expected back for Ohio State on Saturday. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State just might be getting one of its premier playmakers back this week. 

Buckeyes superstar wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is “expected” to be back this week, according to head coach Ryan Day. 

Day did include the caveat for Smith-Nigha’s return for the Buckeyes this week, saying he won’t take the field if he isn’t 100-percent ready to play.

“He’s farther along than he was at this time last week,” Day said Tuesday during his weekly press conference. “We’re going to expect him to play this weekend. We’ll see how this week goes. We’re going to only put him ion the game if he’s 100-percent ready to roll.” 

Ohio State also expects Julian Fleming back on the field this week. Fleming has missed each of the first two games of the season due to a lingering injury.

Ohio State will not rush its star player back, especially with the Big Ten slate just one week away from beginning. 

In Smith-Njigba’s absence, Ohio State has been able to rely on Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, among others, as part of the deepest and arguably most talented receiver room in the country.

Smith-Njigba certainly elevates that room even further, and the Buckeyes will be a more potent offense with him in the lineup. 

But they have made it clear that they won’t rush their best receiver — and one of the best at his position in America — unless he is ready to go.

That might come as early as Saturday when the Buckeyes take on Toledo at 7 p.m. inside the Horseshoe and on FOX.

Smith-Njigba is nearing 100 percent after a couple of weeks being on the sideline.

Lettermen Row will have more coverage of the Ryan Day and Ohio State press conference as they become available.

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