RUSTY MILLER
AP Sports Writer
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller, among the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy, reportedly reinjured his throwing shoulder during practice.
The school declined to confirm he was hurt let alone address the severity of the injury, first reported by The Columbus Dispatch.
The report about the two-time Big Ten offensive player of the year comes with just more than two weeks before the No. 5 Buckeyes open the season.
Miller, a senior, had missed all of spring practice after what was termed “minor, outpatient surgery” on his right shoulder. When workouts resumed in August, he had been held out of a scrimmage and a few practices after experiencing soreness in the shoulder. But last week and again on Monday he insisted he was healthy and ready to go.
Coach Urban Meyer said last week that soreness was expected from throwing in practice.
“I anticipated this,” Meyer said. “I’ve dealt with guys with arm issues before, and we’re being very cautious. He could have practiced (in one of the workouts in which he didn’t play), but we’re in it for the long haul. So he’s right on schedule.”
After Monday’s first practice of a two-a-day session, Miller said he was fine and would be in good shape for the Aug. 30 opener against Navy in Baltimore. At the Buckeyes’ media day last week, Miller said his arm felt good and he was able to throw as much as he liked.
“After my rehab, I was throwing to guys at least four days out of the week,” he said. “Our timing and our situation-wise, when I get back in there it’ll be like I never left.”
If Miller is unable to play in the Buckeyes’ opener, redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett would likely get the start, backed by sophomore Cardale Jones.
But the falloff in experience would be precipitous.
Miller has thrown 666 passes in his glittering three-year career. Barrett has never played in a game, and Jones has thrown only two passes.
Barrett was an acclaimed recruit out of Wichita Falls, Texas, who watched along with Jones last year as Miller took most of the snaps in the Buckeyes’ 12-2 season. When Miller was hurt for most of the San Diego State, California and Florida A&M games with a sprained knee, senior Kenny Guiton had big games while leading Ohio State to victories.
But Guiton graduated and the Buckeyes might have to adapt on the fly. Making that even more difficult is that Ohio State is without four of its five starting offensive linemen, its leading receiver (Corey Brown) and 1,500-yard rusher Carlos Hyde from last year’s team.
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