Joe Burrow, backup quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes, will miss the beginning of the 2017 season due to a broken bone in his throwing hand. The Athens Ohio redshirted sophomore broke the bone in practice performing a fake handoff early this week and had surgery to set the bone yesterday. He will miss the first games of the season, his return date is uncertain.

Burrow played in 5 games last year for the Buckeyes, competing 22 passes for 226 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also ran for one score. Burrow appeared to be the player that could come into a game if JT Barrett went down with an injury and manage the remainder due to his experience. Now the Buckeyes will need to look to Dwayne Haskins for all snaps without Barrett.

2014 Season

The quarterbacks are always aware that their time might come in the next game depending on injury. With 2014 as a reminder of this when Braxton Miller, JT Barrett, and Cardale Jones all got time as the first string quarterback on the way to the National Championship. Miller, going out in the preseason with a shoulder issue. JT Barrett, breaking an ankle against Michigan. And Jones winning the National Title after three post-season starts.

Spring Game

Both Burrow and Dwayne Haskins competed for the backup position in the spring and saw significant action in the annual Scarlet and Gray Spring Game. Burrow had three touchdown passes, 35 yards to KeVon Huguely, 44 yards to Johnnie Dixon, and a short yardage pass to Damario McCall. He seemed poised and completed 14 passes for 262 yards.

Haskins demonstrated his arm strength with a 22 yard score to Terry McLaurin. Dixon also caught a touchdown from Haskins on a fade route. He had 3 touchdowns in the game with 293 yards.

Dwayne Haskins Jr.

Dwayne Haskins, from Potomac Maryland, moves into the backup quarterback role behind JT Barrett for the start of the year. He now has a clearer path to be the future quarterback for the Buckeyes. He recently told reporters that he is much more comfortable running the offense that he was last year as a freshman. He was a top-rated passing quarterback coming out of High School in 2016. He views himself as a gun-slinger that can get the ball down the field quickly with accuracy.

Tate Martell

Tate Martell, a true freshman from Bishop Gorman Las Vegas, will be the third string quarterback and most likely will not see action in 2017. He did have his black stripe removed days before Burrow’s injury which indicates that he is ready to play.

The Buckeyes begin play Thursday August 31st on the road against Indiana. Ohio State has a revamped offense this year behind new offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson.