Jonathon Cooper Authorized to Return for Buckeyes to Nebraska

COLUMBUS – The state of Ohio is not yet in top form on the defensive line, but it is finally ready for the start of season of captain Jonathon Cooper.

The elder missed the first four games of the year after suffering a sprained ankle during the training camp, forcing the Buckeyes to test some of their vaunted depth up to the end. the starter can recover from what Lettermen Row sources have described as a minor medical procedure. last month. Cooper was about to return for a few weeks, but the state of Ohio had always considered his trip to Nebraska as a likely date for his return, safely until there was no more no doubt about the strength of his ankle.

The Buckeyes have obviously resisted without him in the first part of the season, and the defensive line should make a comeback, with defensive tackle Robert Landers being cleared after missing Miami (Ohio) last week for reasons precautionary. According to the availability report released Friday morning, the Ohio State will still be without second-year star, Tyreke Smith, a victim of an upper-body injury and defensive tackle Taron Vincent, still injured on one shoulder.

But the return of a player as popular as productive, like Cooper, should stimulate the Buckeyes before their biggest test of the season.

"Coop handled the situation very well," said senior Jashon Cornell. "Coop particularly helped young men. He is in the game notebook with them. He is in the movie theater with them. He helps them try to do what he does best.

"I think the Rushmen can do a lot more, because we've had guys down. We really did not show much of the Rushmen until all our guys were together. For now, I think we've done a good job with the Next Man Up motto. "

The Buckeyes could still face a test or two for this approach Saturday night against Nebraska, and the most intriguing situation will be the right one that will oppose starter Branden Bowen to a decision at the time of the match.

The senior is the only uncertainty for the Ohio State as he heads for a tough battle between Big Ten, the rest of the Buckeyes being either completely eliminated or excluded, including captain and wide receiver CJ Saunders for at least another. the week.

But the Buckeyes now know that Jonathon Cooper will be back for his season debut and there is little doubt that the senior will look to make up for lost time against Nebraska.

Here is the full availability report announced by the program on Friday, noting that the state of Ohio does not distinguish between injuries and disciplinary cases:

Game Decisions in the State of Ohio

OL Branden Bowen

Buckeyes unavailable

WR Kamryn Babb

DT Noah Donald

DB Ronnie Hickman

LB Teradja Mitchell

H-B C.J. Saunders

From Tyreke Smith

DT Taron Vincent

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