Oct 7, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA;  Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Tai Felton (10) attempts to one hand catch the football as Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke (10) defends during the first quarter at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

DBs Denzel Burke, Lathan Ransom out for No. 1 Ohio State

Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke and safety Lathan Ransom will miss Saturday’s game at Rutgers, but wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is expected to play.

Burke, Ohio State’s top cornerback, has an unspecified injury sustained in the game against Purdue on Oct. 14. He missed the 20-12 win against Penn State on Oct. 21 but played last week in the 24-10 victory over Wisconsin.

Ransom, the starting safety, suffered a non-contact injury against the Badgers and was carted off the field.

Jordan Hancock and Jermaine Mathews Jr. are expected to see significant time against Rutgers.

The good news for the No. 1 Buckeyes is the return of Egbuka, who has not played since he sustained an ankle injury against Maryland on Oct. 7. Also, backup quarterback Devin Brown, who had a high ankle sprain, was not listed on the Big Ten injury report Saturday, meaning he is available to play.

In five games, Egbuka has caught 22 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns, giving the Buckeyes a formidable one-two punch with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Egbuka.

As for Burke, he has one interception, nine pass breakups and a forced fumble in seven games.

Ransom has 21 tackles, one interception, two pass breakups and a forced fumble in eight games for the 8-0 Buckeyes.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2022; Pasadena, California, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) gets off a pass pressured by Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Jerron Cage (86) and Ohio State Buckeyes safety Lathan Ransom (12) during the first quarter of the 2022 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio St. S Lathan Ransom suffers leg injury

Ohio State sophomore safety Lathan Ransom was carted off the field with his left leg in an air cast during the second quarter of Saturday’s Rose Bowl against Utah at Pasadena, Calif.

Ransom was transported to a nearby hospital for X-rays and further examination.

Ransom was injured during a kickoff return in which Utah’s Britain Covey took it back 97 yards for a touchdown with 8:17 left in the first half.

Ransom collided with a teammate and could be seen writhing in pain on the ground during replays of Covey’s return.

–Field Level Media