Buckeyes WR Babb suffers ‘bump in the road’ in practice
Ohio State wide receiver Kamryn Babb, who missed all of last season with a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament before being cleared to return for the start of spring practice, has suffered a minor setback.
Coach Ryan Day said Monday that Babb had gone through a “little bump in the road” and would be out for a couple of weeks, a timeframe that likely sidelines him for the Buckeyes’ remaining spring practices.
It wasn’t specified if Babb’s issue was related to his previous knee injury, but it was “not a big deal,” Day added. Babb was absent during Saturday’s student appreciation day practice.
“He had been practicing at a high level,” Day said, “and really had a chance to have an impact on this offense, and I think he will.”
Much of Babb’s career with the Buckeyes has been stricken with injuries. Since enrolling in 2018, he has three times torn an anterior cruciate ligament. He also suffered one as a high school senior in St. Louis.
But teammates have long admired his perseverance and voted him as a team captain last season.
Babb remains without a career reception, appearing largely on special teams over seven games during the coronavirus pandemic-shortened season in 2020. He was on both coverage and return teams for kickoffs and punts.
Day sounded optimistic about him finding a role as a fifth-year senior.
“If he can stay healthy, he can have an impact on this offense for sure,” Day said.
Scott back at practice
Tight end Gee Scott Jr. returned to practice Monday after he was out on Saturday, Day said. No reason was given for the earlier absence.
Scott has been vying for a larger role at tight end after switching from wide receiver last offseason.
The competition only grew last week with Cade Stover moving back from linebacker to tight end and leaving the Buckeyes with six tight ends on scholarship.
Cultivating more ‘O’ line depth
Sophomore Donovan Jackson is in line to start at left guard, but is also taking reps at left tackle. He was seen lining up there with the second-team offense on Saturday.
“He’s very intelligent, very athletic,” Day said, “and can process information at a pretty high level for his age.”