Buckeyes Got Positive News On Phillip Daniels, But are Awaiting Word on Austin Siereveld

Now this is significant news. As of Tuesday afternoon, the Ohio State Buckeyes are still awaiting news on their starting right tackle, Austin Siereveld. 

Siereveld was a surprise pop-up on the injury report just a couple of hours before kickoff on Saturday against the Maryland Terrapins. From the outside, it almost looked like he was getting a "veteran's day off," as if they ever did that in college.

It wasn't just a slight nick that caused him to miss the game because, as of Tuesday, the Buckeyes are unsure of his status for Saturday's game. While the Daniels' news was positive but not really a needle mover, the Siereveld news would be devestating. 

Austin Siereveld is not only the leader of the offensive line, but he is one of the leaders of this team in general. Beyond his leadership capabilities, he is a complete Swiss Army knife up front. If the Buckeyes need a tackle, it's Siereveld; if they need a guard, it's Siereveld; heck if they were to need a center, I wouldn't be shocked if they put him in.

He is their best offensive lineman on the team and one of the best players on the team, period. 

The positive, however, is that the timing of this actually works in the Buckeyes favor, with Daniels coming back from his nearly month-long absence. Daniels will be able to slot right into the right tackle position that Siereveld would leave open if he is unable to go. 

This is a really significant development for both the near-term of the Buckeyes' season against Indiana this week and USC to follow. The Buckeyes do get a bye week in between, so that gives him some time to continue to heal, if that is needed.

The perfect world is honestly Siereveld being able to play and the Buckeyes not having to rely on Daniels to make a major impact in his first game back in a month. He may not have a choice if Siereveld is out.

The strength of Indiana's defense is without question: their defensive line. They replaced a lot from last year, but their impact players are up front, starting with Stephen Daley. Daley already has 6.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks this year through just five games played. 

It will be up to the Buckeyes to stop Daley and the Hoosiers' defensive line if they want to win. They may have to shuffle some things around to get the job done, especially if Siereveld cannot get the job done.