COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's starting strong safety, Kurt Coleman, will likely miss the season opener against Youngstown State because of an ankle injury suffered in practice this week.
Coach Jim Tressel disclosed the injury Thursday. Coleman, a junior from Dayton, was the Buckeyes' third-leading tackler a year ago.
"We'll probably hold him (out)," Tressel said. "You have to think about the long haul."
His replacement Saturday would be Jermale Hines.
Coleman's absence adds to a shortage of players in the secondary. Starting cornerback Donald Washington and backup safety Jamario O'Neal are serving two-game suspensions for breaking unspecified team rules. Eugene Clifford, a backup safety, left the team over the summer after being disciplined last year. Another defensive back, sophomore James Scott, was not one of the 105 players invited to preseason camp, again for an unspecified reason.
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