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Football
Luncheon Day Notebook: Philly’s Back, Reed’s ACL, Sticking by Posey, Herron
By Brandon Castel

COLUMBUS, Ohio — DeVier Posey and Boom Herron are in hot water, again.

With Terrelle Pryor no longer around to take center stage, his two supporting actors have now become the focal point of frustration for Ohio State fans following Monday’s announcement that neither of the seniors would be available for this week’s game at Nebraska.

It was yet another big blow for the Buckeyes, who have had nothing but bad news to deal with since Luke Fickell took over as the team’s head coach back in May. They had some more bad news Tuesday following an MRI on Verlon Reed’s knee this week.

Verlon Reed
Photo by Jim Davidson

“He has torn his ACL and pretty much everything in his knee,” Fickell said.

“So he will be done for the year.”

It is a tough blow for the young redshirt freshman who worked his way into the starting lineup on opening day. The Marion Franklin product was second on the team in receiving this year with nine catches for 132 yards.

He injured his knee during Ohio State’s last-second onside kick attempt against Michigan State, and had to be helped off the field.

Always Sunny in Philly

With Posey's suspension extended and Reed now out for the year, the Buckeyes could use some help at the receiver position right now. They may finally get it this week, as the Buckeyes expect to have Corey “Philly” Brown back from his ankle injury.

Corey Brown
Photo by Dan Harker

“We’ll see how he runs out there today. Hopefully he'll be all right,” Fickell said during his weekly press luncheon.

“That's what we were expecting was a Nebraska return. But we don't know for sure on that.”

Center Michael Brewster said that Philly’s return would be critical for the offense because he is the guy who stretches the field vertically. Other young players who will have to contribute more in Reed’s absence include true freshmen Devin Smith and Evan Spencer and redshirt freshman T.Y. Williams.

The Buckeyes do not expect to have defensive end Nathan Williams back this week.

“Nathan, I'm not sure I would probably say doubt(ful),” Fickell said.

“I would doubt it, from what I saw on Sunday.”

Fickell does expect to have senior Solomon Thomas back, but his role could be limited as he comes off a 5-game suspension and off-season surgery.

“We have to see how he competes and works out there right now,” he said.

“You would hope so and you hope you would see him in some situations but again, he's been dinged up as well, broke his leg in the spring game and just getting back from that. That's one of those things that Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday are all about.”

No Throwaways

Herron and Posey have already missed the first five games of the year and their return remains in question even beyond this weekend’s game in Lincoln. It’s possible that one or both of them might not suit up for Ohio State again, but it won’t be because they are no longer welcome in the locker room.  

“I'm sure we would talk about that as a team, as a staff. But you know, again, those guys were part of who we are right now,” Fickell said.

“They are a part of what we do, and we need each and every one of them, in whatever role they have.”

The Buckeyes could certainly use Posey and Herron on the field, but the two seniors have also been a positive influence in the locker room. Many of their teammates have called them the most vocal leaders on the team, even in spite of their off-field issues.

Fickell made it pretty clear how he felt about Terrelle Pryor sticking around when he didn’t field his call back in June, but it is a different story with Posey and Herron.

“I haven’t seen anything that we wouldn't want a guy around right now,” Fickell said Tuesday.

He was asked towards the end of his press conference whether there was any chance the Buckeyes might have Herron back for this week’s game.

“I don't go into hypothetical situations,” Fickell said.

“So I don't know anything about that.”

The Buckeyes have applied for reinstatement for Posey, Herron and Marcus Hall, but an Ohio State spokesperson did not believe there was any chance Herron would be back by Saturday night.   

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