Ohio State injury report: Donovan Jackson, Cody Simon among those out vs. Akron
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State football is back, and the team has announced which players will be out injured for Saturday's season opener against Akron.
Among the six players out for the 3:30 p.m. Week 1 game is starting offensive lineman Donovan Jackson. The senior from Texas enters the season fresh off his second first-team all-Big Ten selection in 2023 and will not be available to protect quarterback Will Howard in his first Ohio State start.
On defense, linebacker and captain Cody Simon will also not play. Simon, a fifth-year senior, is this year's "Block O" jersey recipient, given to the Buckeyes player that exhibits “toughness, accountability and the highest of character”.
Ohio State injury report (Week 1 vs. Akron)
OUT
- RB TC Caffey (Out for season)
- WR Reis Stocksdale
- OL Donovan Jackson
- OL Devontae Armstrong
- DL Cade Casto
- LB Cody Simon
- SAF Jayden Bonsu
The No. 2-ranked Buckeyes enter their opener as heavy favorites against the Zips with oddsmakers setting the Buckeyes as more than 48-point favorites. Ohio State has not lost to an in-state team in over a century.
Saturday's game will mark the debuts of many new Ohio State players that transferred in last winter. Among them are Howard, running back Quinshon Judkins, center Seth McLaughlin, and safety Caleb Downs.
The game will also be marked with a moment of silence for Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. The two were killed Thursday night in New Jersey when they were riding bicycles and were struck by a suspected drunk driver. The Crew match Saturday night at Lower.com Field will also have a moment of silence.