Football
Key Members of Buckeye Offense Nursing Injuries
By John Porentas

The OSU offense limped through the fourth quarter of the Illinois game. It's also doing a bit of actual limping as well with three key members of that offense hampered to varying degrees with injuries as this week progresses.

Alex Boone

Starting left tackle Alex Boone has been out with an injury and has undergone a medical procedure. OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel said last week that Boone might be available this week, but OSU assistant coach John Peterson was not quite as optimistic tonight.

"Alex is coming around. He keeps improving, getting stronger and stronger and I don't anticipate having him this week," said Peterson.

"He's worked with the strength coaches most of this week and done some non-contact drills and is getting better."

Ted Ginn

Wide receiver Ted Ginn has been playing on a broken toe for the past couple of weeks. Ginn said today that the toe still bothers him, but really isn't hampering his play.

"It's coming along, it's much better," said Ginn.

"There's not that much pain."

Ginn was asked if the injury was hindering his game at this point.

"Not really," he said.

"It's something you just have to block out and play hard."

OSU quarterback Troy Smith's right (throwing) hand has been heavily taped in recent weeks. Smith admitted today that he has had a persistent problem with the thumb this season, but like Ginn he too says his game has not been affected.'

"I'm OK. I'm OK," said Smith.

Troy Smith

"It is what it is, it's a seasonal pain, it's a growing pain and we just have to play through it.

"It happened a while ago and to tell you the truth I can't really pinpoint one thing that made it start hurting.

"It was probably just an ongoing thing and it just got worse and worse."

"It's sort of like a sore ankle, because it's going to take that pressure and it's going to take those hits.

"You'll never find me crying or whining about it or making any excuses. I have to continue to play ball."

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