Ryan Day gives injury update that tells the Ohio State Buckeyes dodged a major bullet in win over the Texas Longhorns

The Ohio State Buckeyes had to grind it out in the end, but they controlled the game for most of the way in their Week 1 win over the No. 1 Texas Longhorns.

Ohio State opened with an impressive defensive performance, holding Arch Manning and the Texas offense to just one score in a 14-7 victory. On the other side, the Buckeyes’ offense did just enough to secure the win, with wideout Carnell Tate and West Virginia transfer running back C.J. Donaldson providing the two touchdowns.

Coming into Week 1, the Buckeyes were mostly healthy, but that didn’t last. They lost a key starter against Texas, who exited the game and did not return.

Ryan Day provides update on DE Kenyatta Jackson

Jackson went down early in the third quarter and was helped off the field by trainers. His helmet was taken away, and he was unable to reenter the game—a tough blow for the Buckeyes’ defense.

“I don’t think I can come up and say what exactly it was, but you know, they took his helmet away and we’ll kind of evaluate how that is moving forward. But I don’t see it being a long-term injury for [Jackson],” Day said after the game.

https://www.youtube.com/live/-edyHCDjnLQ?si=ISX8T7P5mZrYdDyp

On paper, Jackson is Ohio State’s second-best pass rusher, behind only North Carolina transfer Beau Atkinson, who posted 7.5 sacks last season. The Buckeyes recorded just one sack against Manning, coming from linebacker Arvell Reese, who was used more as a pass rusher once Jackson exited.

Caden Curry and C.J. Hicks were called upon to step up in Jackson’s absence. Ohio State was forced to test its depth down the stretch, but the defense held strong, thanks in large part to the performance of the interior defensive line.

The good news for the Buckeyes—beyond the statement win over Texas—is that Jackson’s injury isn’t expected to be serious. With Grambling State on the schedule next week, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Ohio State holds him out as a precaution.