Ohio State defensive tackle says he’ll be ready for Week 1 after knee injury in fall camp

Ohio State defensive tackle says he’ll be ready for Week 1 after knee injury in fall camp

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State defensive tackle Eddrick Houston was insistent on Thursday that, despite a knee injury he suffered on the first day of fall camp, that he’ll be ready for the season opener against Texas.

Houston, along with other members of the defensive line, spoke to the media on Thursday afternoon. With multiple questions posed to him about the health of his knee, he was adamant of where he’ll be health-wise for the season opener on Aug. 30.

“I feel good, I’ll be ready Week 1,” he said.

The second-year tackle hurt his knee toward the end of the first practice of the season on July 31, and had to be helped off the field. When asked directly what the official diagnosis was, Houston declined to say.

“I kind of took a wrong step, messed it up and went back in there (the locker room), got it healed up, rehabbed up and back out here,” Houston explained.

Two further questions asked of him — if he’s ready to play now, and if he’ll be limited in any way against Texas — were answered with, “I’ll be ready.”

While Ohio State has questions along the defensive line with so much inexperience (specifically at defensive tackle), adding Houston back into the fold is a near necessity for the Buckeyes’ defense.

The former five-star member of the 2024 recruiting class began his career at Ohio State as a defensive end before making the official transition to the interior midway through the season.

“It was a little minor setback,” Houston began. But it feels great to be back on the field and being able to contribute.”

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