Injury Report: 13 players, multiple starters 'Out' for Michigan State vs. Ohio State

The Spartans will be shorthanded at some key positions tonight against the top-ranked Buckeyes...

Author:
Matthew Lounsberry
Publish date:
Nov 11, 2023 6:01 PM EST

In this story:

Fresh off a win over Nebraska which ended a six-game losing streak, Michigan State football has the stiffest of challenges ahead tonight against No. 1 Ohio State in Columbus, and the job just got even harder after a look at the Spartans' availability report.

Michigan State will be without both cornerbacks who were listed atop the depth chart of the beginning of the 2023 season, as sophomore Dillon Tatum and junior Charles Brantley are both 'Out'. Reserve cornerback Marqui Lowery is also unavailable tonight, weakening MSU's secondary even further. Brantley has been unavailable since suffering a Week 3 injury against Washington, so his absence is not unexpected. However, the loss of Tatum is significant for the Spartans, as he's started each of the previous nine games this year for MSU.

It would have been difficult enough for Michigan State at full strength to slow down the Buckeye wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Ebuka, Julian Fleming and Carnel Tate, but the Spartans now appear to be very thin at cornerback. MSU is expected to start true freshman Chance Rucker at one corner spot (he's filled in for Brantley ever since Week 3) but it's currently unclear who will start on the opposite side of the field.

The cornerbacks aren't the only defensive position group impacted. Starting defensive end Khris Bogle is also 'Out', alongside defensive tackles Jarrett Jackson and Dre Butler, defensive end Bai Jobe, safety Semar Melvin and linebacker Darius Snow.

On the offensive side of the ball, multiple players remain unavailable for the Spartans. For the second consecutive week, wide receiver Tre Mosley has been listed as 'Out'. The redshirt senior was banged up in the second half of the Minnesota game two weeks ago, and has not been available since. Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jaron Glover is also 'Out' tonight.

Quarterback Noah Kim, who has not played since losing his starting job following the Iowa game, is not available tonight, leaving Michigan State with a potential conundrum at QB. Redshirt freshman Katin Houser will get the start, but backup and true freshman Sam Leavitt would burn his redshirt if he appears in the game tonight. If MSU wants to maintain Leavitt's year of eligibility, walk-on Andrew Schorfharr will have to back-up Houser. Running back Davion Primm also remains 'Out' for the Spartans.

After missing last week's game, starting left tackle Brandon Baldwin has been upgraded to 'Questionable' against the Buckeyes. Safety Khalil Majeed, who had a breakout game last week vs. Nebraska, is also 'Questionable'. As for positive news, interim head coach Harlon Barnett said this week that starting tight end Maliq Carr would return to action for the Spartans. As expected, Carr's name was not listed on the availability report, indicating the redshirt junior is good to go against the Buckeyes.

Previous Michigan State players who have been listed 'Out' for the season include running back Jalen Berger, linebacker Jacoby Windmon, safety Armorion Smith, defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren, running back Jaelon Barbarin and offensive linemen Stanton Ramil and Gavin Broscious.