Injured Bosa leaves OSU to prep for pros
COLUMBUS, OHIO >> Injured defensive end Nick Bosa has decided to leave school to focus on getting ready for the NFL draft in the spring, Ohio State said Tuesday.
The junior All-American from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., already had four sacks this season when he suffered a core muscle injury on Sept. 15 in the third game of the season. He had surgery five days later, and no timetable was set for his return.
Considered one of the best players in college football, Bosa had left no doubt that he would leave school after this season to enter the draft. He planned to follow the same path as his older brother, Joey, who left Ohio State a year early and now plays for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Nick Bosa had tied his career high of five tackles twice in the first three games this season, and he was leading the team in tackles with 14, including six for losses.
That came to an abrupt halt when he went down early in the third quarter against TCU and had to be helped to the locker room.
Coach Urban Meyer said the conversation with Bosa was emotional, but “I can’t say I was surprised.”
“I was hopeful that Nick would be able to return to play again for us,” Meyer said. “I know this was an extremely difficult and emotional decision for Nick and his family, and I wish him well as he moves on to get himself 100 percent healthy and ready for his next chapter.”
Ohio State’s defense hasn’t been the same since Bosa’s departure. The unit has dealt with other injuries, including to Bosa’s replacement, Jonathan Cooper. Bosa was dominating from the start of his Ohio State career. The 6-4, 263-pounder, who wore the same No. 97 his brother did for the Buckeyes, played in 30 games, with 29 tackles, 17½ sacks and two fumble recoveries, one of them for a TD.
Status of Gophers’ Brooks ‘evolving’
MINNEAPOLIS >> Minnesota running back Shannon Brooks has returned to the team following his weekend arrest on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic assault.
Coach P.J. Fleck said the senior’s playing status was “evolving.” No charges had been filed as of Tuesday stemming from the alleged incident between Brooks and his male roommate. No injuries were reported.
Fleck said Brooks has been medically cleared for game action for the first time this year following a knee injury he suffered during an offseason workout. Brooks can appear in up to four games and still maintain his final year of eligibility.