Defensive end Nathan Williams was among four defensive starters who missed practice today.
Updates from Ohio State's practice this afternoon:
* Lots of Buckeyes were nicked up and on sidelines, most of them in yellow jerseys, either doing exercises or just watching. That group included four defensive starters - linebacker Ross Homan [hamstring, said he's close to 100 percent, back soon], defensive end Nathan Williams [limping with ice on the left knee he injured Saturday], cornerback Devon Torrence [lingering hamstring, getting better] and safety Orhian Johnson [left calf].
Other backups out included running back Carlos Hyde [left shoulder], defensive end Melvin Fellows [looked like he was exercising the left knee that sidelined him last year], receiver James Jackson and freshmen Chad Hagan and Adam Griffin.
Starting cornerback Chimdi Chekwa and kicker Devin Barclay also missed at least part of practice.
* The biggest issue is Williams, though his teammates said they expected Williams back sooner than later, which sounds like it could be by the season-opener against Marshall on Sept. 2. Backing up Williams at the Leo position, the defensive end who also drops into coverage at times, is Solomon Thomas, who has starred in practice scrimmages in the past but doesn't have much experience in meaningful game situations. The rest of the Leos are even less experienced - walkon Stewart Smith and true freshmen David Durham and J.T. Moore. Moore had a nice pressure of the quarterback running with the second team and was cheered on by Cam Heyward.
Ohio State linebacker Ross Homan, shown here making an interception in the Rose Bowl, was one of four defensive starters who sat out practice Tuesday, but he said he should be back soon.So the Buckeyes worked some today with playing John Simon at the Leo spot. That's not his position, and it would be interesting to see how much the Buckeyes might have him drop into coverage, but in the same of getting the four best defensive linemen on the field, that could be a solution if Williams missed extended time. He was joined by starters Heyward and Dexter Larimore, with redshirt freshman Adam Bellamy playing the other defensive line spot.
* An Ohio State spokesperson confirmed Monday that a redshirt is being considered for sophomore tackle Marcus Hall, who had been working a lot at left tackle this preseason but was the primary backup at right tackle last year. Hall was at practice and working as the third-team left tackle. But the reaction to the potential Hall redshirt could involve true freshman Andrew Norwell, who worked as the No. 2 right tackle today, which was a step up as far as I remember.
* True freshman Corey Brown, called Philly Brown by his coaches and teammates so he's not confused with redshirt freshman cornerback Corey Brown from Pittsburgh, showed some skills at receiver today after having a good scrimmage Saturday as a return man.
He looms like the No. 5 receiver now, with Taurian Washington locked in as the No. 3 and Chris Fields the No. 4, but Brown sure comes off as a guy who could move up the depth chart.
* Freshman Drew Basil hit two field goals longer than 50 years today, a 56-yarder just making it over the crossbar.
* On one play today, the Buckeyes had tailbacks Dan Herron and Brandon Saine flanking Terrelle Pryor in the shotgun. That's a grouping I've always liked but the Buckeyes haven't used much.
* Plenty of NFL scouts at practice today, including those from the Browns, Kansas City, New York Jets, Miami and San Diego.
* The Buckeyes typically end practice with what Jim Tressel calls the Maize and Blue period, when individual position groups work on something to make them better for Michigan. Today was the first time I remember the Buckeyes blaring "The Victors" over the loudspeakers during that period, I think because the upgrade of the practice facility includes a new sound system.