Does everyone remember when we wrote one of the most important positions on the Ohio State Buckeyes was the backup quarterback? Actually, it was yesterday. Unfortunately, it may have proven to be prophetic.
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer said Sunday that the Buckeyes were expecting to “take a big step” Monday in regards to easing Miller back into regular practice repetitions after having offseason shoulder surgery.
According to The Columbus Dispatch, Miller re-injured his surgically-repaired right shoulder during the Buckeyes’ Monday afternoon practice.
“The injury puts in jeopardy his playing status for the coming season,” Tim May wrote.
The actual severity of Miller’s injury will be determined Tuesday.#OhioState star Braxton Miller reinjured his shoulder tonight. Slated to have an MRI tomorrow, source tells @FoxSports
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) August 19, 2014
If Miller misses the season or any significant amount of time, it would be a devastating loss for the Buckeyes. Miller was considered a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. His experience and skill set were perfect to lead an offense that had questions marks at both running back and the offensive line. Miller could have carried the team until the offense truly started to gel.
Now, redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett, who recently earned the role as the team’s No. 2 quarterback, is expected to lead the team into the regular season Aug. 30 against the Navy Midshipmen. Barrett was a four-star recruit the coaching staff eventually expected to be the future of the program. Well, the future is now.
Despite all of Meyer’s previous claims that Miller remains “right on schedule”, the team was easily knocked off-schedule if Miller’s injury is as significant as feared. And the Big Ten East becomes a wide open race for any team to claim.