Williams was hampered by an ankle injury in the season finale against Michigan but said Dec. 14 he expected to be ready to go for the College Football Playoff semifinal against Georgia.
His availability could be crucial for the Buckeyes to avoid putting too much pressure on quarterback C.J. Stroud and the passing game to carry the offense, especially with fellow No. 1 back TreVeyon Henderson out because of a foot injury.
“Miyan’s good,” Trayanum said. “He’s just a little under the weather right now. He’s straight. He’s gonna be ready to go.”
Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Williams practiced Monday, the first time the Buckeyes took the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“Miyan had a really good go yesterday, the most work he’s had to date, and as we build through this week, I think we’ll see those guys playing and playing well, but I think you need more than one back,” Wilson said.
With Henderson out, Trayanum might be the second option. He moved to running back from linebacker in the middle of the season and ran for 83 yards on 14 carries against Michigan.
Ohio State also has freshman Dallan Hayden, who ran for 510 yards and had three 100-yard games.
“You need two, sometimes three to play through the season,” Wilson said. “The running back is a little bit like Georgia’s. Like a lot of good teams, you’re playing two or three. This year we’ve had to evolve due to some guys being in and out due to some minor injuries we’ve had, but going into this game, we are at full force.”
Ohio State started its week in Georgia with a Christmas celebration then turned its attention to the defending national champions https://t.co/cGxncDOBWp
— Dayton Daily News (@daytondailynews) December 26, 2022
Wilson also said starting right guard Matt Jones, who battled injuries most of the season, has been “full-tilt” for a couple of weeks in practice and should be good to go against a Georgia front that features All-American tackle Jalen Carter.
Practice was closed Monday and Tuesday, but reporters will get a chance to see part of it Wednesday and Thursday morning to see who is in uniform.
Reporters may get a chance to talk to Williams on Thursday when most or all of the players are available during the bowl media day at the College Football Hall of Fame.
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