Browning will sit out Osu-northwestern game

Ohio State will be without linebacker Baron Browning and could be without offensive left tackle Thayer Munford for its game tonight at Northwestern.

Browning is listed as unavailable on the team’s status report released Thursday morning. Munford is listed as a game-time decision, as is linebacker Teradja Mitchell and H-back C.J. Saunders.

Browning has shared time with Tuf Borland at middle linebacker and had a breakout season. He is third on the team with 23 tackles, including five for loss.

Munford, who had offseason back surgery, has been part of a dominating offensive line. If he can’t play, the Buckeyes will have to do some shuffling because his backup, Joshua Alabi, is listed as unavailable.

Alabi started at right tackle for the Nebraska game on Sept. 28 in place of the injured Branden Bowen and earned offensive player of the game honors. Alabi also started against Michigan State two weeks ago, but Bowen replaced him early and played the rest of the way.

Redshirt freshman Nicholas Petit-frere is listed as the backup to Munford on the team’s depth chart at left tackle. He has been at right tackle this season.

The other prominent name on the unavailable list is tight end Jake Hausmann, who’s been part of an effective four-player rotation at that position.

Other players listed as unavailable are wide receiver Kamryn Babb, defensive tackle Noah Donald, receiver Elijah Gardiner, safety Ronnie Hickman and defensive tackle Taron Vincent.

Under first-year coach Ryan Day, the Buckeyes do not release detailed injury information.