Ohio State football: Wilson returns to practice, could play vs. Purdue

Here are five things to know from his first press conference of the week as the fifth-ranked Buckeyes prepare to play host to Purdue:

1. Garrett Wilson could be back this week.

Ohio State beat Nebraska without its top receiver, though a reason for Wilson being unavailable Saturday was not given (as is typical of any issue that is not season-ending).

Day said Tuesday he expects Wilson to be able to practice this week, which likely bodes well for the junior being able to suit up Saturday.

“Looking forward to having a really good week of practice with him and getting him back out there today,” Day said. “Certainly not having someone like Garrett for a game — you know, we missed him, so we’re looking forward to having him back this week.”

Wilson tweeted Saturday he would be fine.

“For those asking, I am all good!” the receiver wrote. “I appreciate the prayers. Can’t wait to watch them boys ball here soon against Nebraska. Go Bucks!”

2. Jack Miller III remains suspended for the time being.

Ohio State announced Friday that Miller, a redshirt freshman quarterback Arizona, was suspended from the team after being arrested for allegedly operating a vehicle while intoxicated early Friday morning near campus after his truck was pulled over by a state trooper on 15th Ave.

Miller told the officer he had not been drinking, but he went through field sobriety tests and was subsequently arrested.

The third-stringer, who has played in four games in mop-up duty this season, is scheduled to appear in court Friday. He faces charges of OVI and driving in marked lanes, according to Franklin County Municipal Court records.

Day said he was looking “just to kind of get more information about how things are gonna be handled and what the conclusion and the findings are of everything. So we’re just making sure that we have all the information before we make any decisions about moving forward

“At least until the end of the week, he’s going to be off the team.”

Credit: Jay LaPrete

Credit: Jay LaPrete

3. Quinn Ewers is getting closer to being ready to play in a game if needed.

Quinn Ewers, the top-rated quarterback recruit in the 2022 class until he decided to graduate early and join the Buckeyes in August, has been fourth-string behind C.J. Stroud, Kyle McCord and Miller, but he was on the travel squad Saturday.

With Miller being removed from the picture at least temporarily, Ewers’ status came up Tuesday.

“He’s making progress,” said Day, whose most recent comments about Ewers indicated he was far from being game-ready. “I thought coming off the bye he’s been working hard and getting better. He’s starting to look more comfortable around the facility.

“He needs more time. There’s a lot to it, and it’s hard when you don’t get a ton of reps, but he’s getting more reps now, and I think you’re starting to see him feel more comfortable around the team.”

Credit: Marcus Hartman

Credit: Marcus Hartman

4. The status of two captains remains somewhat unclear.

Defensive tackle Haskell Garrett and linebacker Teradja Mitchell played only 12 and 11 snaps, respectively, against Nebraska according to Pro Football Focus.

“There’s a little big of everything going on there,” Day said when asked if they were dealing with injuries, “and those guys are still a huge part of this team and hopefully we can get them healthy here moving forward.”

Garrett and Mitchell are both seniors who were voted captains prior to the season.

While Garrett leads the team with six tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, Mitchell is third on the team with 42 tackles.

5. Day is still not worried about the College Football Playoff rankings.

Ohio State was No. 5 in the initial CFP rankings released last week, but the prospect of moving into the top four Tuesday night after No. 3 Michigan State lost at Purdue on Saturday did not move Day much.

“If we don’t win this game, it doesn’t matter,” Day said. “What matters is that we continue to win, and then where are we at at the end of the season? That’s what matters. I think it’s great for college football, it brings up a lot of conversation and that’s great, but what did last week matter? It didn’t matter anything, and it will be the same thing this week.”

SATURDAY’S GAME

Purdue at Ohio State, 3:30 p.m., ABC, 1410