Buckeyes’ Price suffers injury during bench press
INDIANAPOLIS — Jamarco Jones chose not to participate in the bench-press drill at the NFL combine on Thursday, preferring to wait until Ohio State’s pro day on March 22.
Billy Price probably wishes he had done the same.
Ohio State’s Rimington Trophy winner was injured early in his bench press. The center had completed only a few reps of 225 pounds when he stopped and, according to witnesses, grabbed his left upper chest or shoulder in obvious pain. Albert Breer of the MMQB reported that Price is believed to have suffered a torn pectoral muscle.
Price, whose weightlifting prowess is legendary inside Ohio State’s Woody Hayes Athletic Center, had been expected to put on a show. It wouldn’t have been a surprise if he had exceeded 30 reps.
Price was scheduled to meet with the media on Thursday afternoon. He didn’t, presumably to have medical treatment and evaluation. A combine official said Price is tentatively scheduled to be available to reporters on Friday morning. Price’s agents did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Jones is not in Price’s offensive-line group at the combine. During his late afternoon media availability, the tackle said that he hadn’t had a chance to talk with Price.
“I just hope he’s all right and it’s nothing serious and he can bounce back and do stuff tomorrow and do the lifting at pro day,” Jones said, “because he’s going to put up impressive numbers whenever he benches.”
If the injury is serious, that could jeopardize Price’s chances of being a first-round pick. He has been projected as a first- or second-round selection.
As he was during his Ohio State career, Jones is a bit under-the-radar as the draft approaches. Most projections have him going on the draft’s second day (second and third rounds).
“I’ve always said I thought it was pretty good if an offensive lineman could stay under the radar,” Jones said, “because that probably meant you weren’t messing up too much.”
At 6 feet 4, Jones is shorter than ideal for an NFL tackle. Though that’s his natural position, he believes he is versatile enough to play guard as well.
“I’m not necessarily 6-7, but I have the arm span of some of the guys who are 6-7,” he said. “I can move my feet pretty well on the edge when it comes to pass blocking.”
Jones has been training with former Buckeye LeCharles Bentley, who has become one of the top gurus for aspiring NFL offensive linemen.
“Attention to detail,” Jones said when asked what Bentley preaches most. “You have to make sure you do everything correct.”
Jones has flourished in the crucible that life as an Ohio State offensive lineman is. Early in his career, he was a backup to players now in the NFL, most notably Taylor Decker, a first-round pick by Detroit in 2016. Every day in practice, Jones faced the Buckeyes’ elite defensive ends.
“I just think it was great preparation for this, seeing that type of talent and a lot of guys are playing well in the NFL,” Jones said. “Getting to go against those guys week in and week out is a great experience.
“This next step is a pretty big step, but I think that going to Ohio State definitely helped with that.”
Jones is back in the city where the Buckeyes won the Big Ten championship against Wisconsin in December.
“I was walking by the field the other day and I was like, wow, I was here a couple months ago,” Jones said. “It’s definitely a lot different this time around.”
It is for Price, too, unfortunately. Instead of celebrating a title, he has to hope the injury he suffered is only a minor setback.