Ohio State junior linebacker Jerome Baker (17) combines for a tackle with redshirt sophomore cornerback Damon Arnette (3) on Penn State’s Saquon Barkley in the second quarter in the game against Penn State on Oct. 28. Ohio State won 39-38. Credit: Jack Westerheide | Photo Editor
Ohio State will be down two of its starting three linebackers. Both Jerome Baker and Dante Booker will be unavailable Saturday against Michigan State due to undisclosed injuries, according to an Ohio State press release.
According to the team’s depth chart, sophomore Malik Harrison is Booker’s backup while sophomore Keandre Jones is the backup for Baker. During warmups, Harrison, Tuf Borland and Chris Worley worked with the first-team defense.
Baker is tied for the team lead in total tackles with 44 and Booker is tied for fifth with 31. The two are both in the top five for tackles for loss on the team with Booker sitting at No. 4 with five and Baker at No. 5 with 4.5. Baker was named as a Butkus Award semifinalist, given annually to the best linebacker in the country.
