C.J. Stroud Will Play Only in “Emergency Capacity” Against Akron Due to Shoulder

With C.J. Stroud battling a shoulder injury that has plagued him through the first three games of the season, Ryan Day said Thursday on his radio show that the plan is for either Kyle McCord or Jack Miller to start at quarterback against Akron, though Stroud will be available in an “emergency capacity.”

“Going into this game, we’ve asked C.J. to probably take these last couple of days off and rest that shoulder,” Day said Thursday on his radio show. “Kyle and Jack have done a good job, and so the plan right now is to probably, we’ll see how today goes, but probably use C.J. in somewhat of an emergency capacity on Saturday and play some of those other guys.”

Day told reporters on Thursday that Stroud’s shoulder injury is not serious but that they felt it was in his best interest to take the week off from throwing.

“I don’t think C.J.’s situation is serious,” Day said. “But we did feel like some rest would go a long way.”

Day did not specify whether McCord or Miller would be the starting quarterback, though McCord has been second in the quarterback line behind Stroud during pregame warmups before the first three games. He said a starting quarterback will likely be chosen Friday after evaluating how Thursday’s practice goes, and that the plan is to choose one quarterback to start and play the majority of the game rather than rotating between McCord and Miller.

“I have faith in both of those guys,” Day said.

No quarterback other than Stroud has taken a snap this season. Miller played 10 snaps as a true freshman in 2020, but did not throw a pass; McCord, a true freshman this year, will make his Ohio State debut on Saturday if he plays against Akron.

Fellow true freshman Quinn Ewers will not be available to play against Akron, said Day, who said earlier this week that Ewers hasn’t yet gotten “enough reps to be able to prepare to play in a game right now.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.