Ohio State running back Miyan Williams will return against Michigan on Saturday after being sidelined last week.
His availability for the rivalry game gives a jolt to the Buckeyes’ running back depth, which came from a stipend running back for the second half of last weekend’s win in Maryland, a situation that prompted freshman Dallan Hayden to drop the ball Carry 27 times against the terrapins.
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Williams, a hard-running redshirt sophomore, has led the Buckeyes through most of the regular season in 783 yards and 13 touchdowns. He went down just before halftime in an Indiana escape when he landed awkwardly on his right foot.
Chip Trayanum, an Arizona State transfer who started the season as a linebacker before returning to running back, is also expected to be back.
TreVeyon Henderson injured to keep him out of Michigan game
But the backfield won’t be at full strength against the Wolverines just yet. TreVeyon Henderson will be out with a foot injury alongside eight players listed as unavailable on the Buckeyes’ pregame status report.
Henderson attempted a return after a two-game absence in Maryland last week but continued to be hampered by the issue. He ran just 19 yards with 11 carries and left SECU Stadium with a hiking boot on his left foot.
After injuring his foot in an out-of-conference win against Toledo in September, Henderson worsened in a win at Penn State a month later.
It has left the Buckeyes with one of their best weapons on offense, as Henderson’s explosiveness as a runner allowed him to break out as a freshman last fall.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba also for Ohio State-Michigan
Ohio State’s high-scoring offense will continue to be without star slot receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who picked up a hamstring injury in the season opener that has handicapped him for most of the season.
Smith-Njigba tried to return against Iowa last month before suffering a setback and missing the four games that followed.
He’s caught just five passes for 43 yards in limited snaps in three games.
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Matthew Jones’ status for OSU is in question
The offensive line could do without right guard Matthew Jones, who was injured late in Maryland and later went on crutches with his right foot in the ice. He was listed as a game time decision in the availability report.
Fourth-year junior Enokk Vimahi is the top backup among internal offensive lineman and stepped in for Jones last week while reserve tackle Josh Fryar could also rotate.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Reach out to him at [email protected] or on Twitter @joeyrkaufmann.
