Penn State vs Ohio State: Everything you need to know

Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) scores a touchdown past Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Curtis Jacobs (23) during the third quarter of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.Penn State At Ohio State FootballSyndication The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) scores a touchdown past Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Curtis Jacobs (23) during the third quarter of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.Penn State At Ohio State FootballSyndication The Columbus Dispatch /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 01: Chop Robinson #44 of the Penn State Nittany Lions lines up against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 01: Chop Robinson #44 of the Penn State Nittany Lions lines up against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Injuries

Penn State had been relatively healthy all season until its physical matchup with Michigan.

Against Minnesota, the Nittany Lions were without their top edge rusher in Chop Robinson, a starting wide receiver in KeAndre Lambert-Smith, running back Keyvone Lee and three offensive linemen were banged up.

Starting left guard Landon Tengwall has not played in the last two games, while starting right tackle Sal Wormley and right tackle Caedan Wallace both left the game against Minnesota.

During Wednesday’s practice media availability, Lambert-Smith, Robinson, Wallace and Wormley were spotted taking part in drills. Lee and Tengwall were not seen.

Without Lee, Penn State has just two healthy scholarship running backs, and both are true freshmen. Despite their talent, that is not an ideal situation.

The biggest injury on Ohio State’s side is star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has been in and out of the lineup all season for the Buckeyes. Dave Biddle of Bucknuts reported on Tuesday that head coach Ryan Day said they plan on having Smith-Njigba back on Saturday.

With or without the projected first round pick better known as JSN, the Ohio State receiving corps is probably the best in the country and will be a tough challenge for Penn State either way.

Cornerback Cam Brown has been dealing with an injury for the better part of a month now for the Buckeyes as well. It’s unclear what his status is for Saturday after missing last week.

Ohio State’s top two running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams have also both been in and out of the lineup at times this year, but both played last week.