Shoulder surgery won’t stop Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller from playing in the Buckeyes’ opening game against the Navy Midshipmen.
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer was asked about the status of Miller’s shoulder as the season nears.
“I anticipated this,” Meyer told the Columbus Dispatch‘s Bill Rabinowitz. “We’re being very cautious. He’s right on schedule.”
Miller is nearly six months removed from the surgery. As a precaution, the team has limited Miller’s throwing during practice sessions, but Meyer is happy with the quarterback’s overall progress. Miller still isn’t 100-percent healthy at the moment, though.Meyer on Miller: “If the game was tomorrow, we’d be very cautious with Braxton. But we have three weeks.”
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) August 10, 2014
The Buckeyes are going to need a fully healthy Miller for the offense to be successful as it continues to gel, particularly along the offensive line. Miller is a legitimate Heisman candidate, but he will have to prove he has improved as a passer, while also serving as the team’s top rushing threat.
Navy will be a good opening test for Miller and the Buckeyes’ offense. The Midshipmen defensive front is undersized, and it will be an opportunity for the Buckeyes to control the game at the line of scrimmage. Miller shouldn’t have to shoulder the offensive load during the first week of play, but he’ll be ready as the team progresses throughout the season.