Buckeyes’ O line takes a minor hit with Boren injury

COLUMBUS — As word of Justin Boren’s minor knee injury filtered out of Ohio State’s practice facility, it brought to mind something coach Jim Tressel said was a major desire in preseason camp:

“We need to stay healthy,” Tressel said.

Buckeyes officials issued no acknowledgement of Boren’s condition, but sources indicated the left guard should be ready by the season opener Sept.5 against Navy.

Boren sat out last season after transferring from Michigan, where he had played for two seasons. At Ohio State, the Pickerington native was seen as the firebrand for a renewed physical spirit on the offensive line.

“I don’t know if I brought anything, I just know when I go out there to play, I’m going to give 110 percent every play,” Boren said Thursday. “I want to take my guy and drive him 5, 10 yards down the field and plant him. That’s my attitude in practice and the game.

“I like to think that everyone on the offensive line is pretty [darn] nasty.”

Now he’ll find out whether that spirit can exist without him.

Boren’s injury might create an opportunity for sophomore J.B. Shugarts, the backup to senior Jim Cordle at right tackle.

Cordle played left guard last season after starting at center. With the opener weeks away, there is no immediate need to move Cordle back to guard, unless Shugarts has proved he’s ready to take over at right tackle.

Going into camp, Shugarts had said that was his goal.

The immediate desire was “winning a spot,” Shugarts said. “Then once I secure a spot, then I will start to make other short-term goals and long-term goals, and eventually, hopefully, one day play in the NFL.”

It’s a plan he’s launching a season later than expected. He was a member of the “Block O” trio of highly touted offensive linemen that included center Michael Brewster and tackle Mike Adams in the 2008 recruiting class. While Brewster stepped forward early, injuries knocked back Adams and Shugarts.

Shugarts, originally from Klein, Texas, said he struggled emotionally after shoulder surgery in January and while watching spring drills.

“It was hard. I’ve never had to sit out like that, never had a major surgery,” he said. “Especially because I’m a big guy, I like to work out a lot, and not even getting to lift weights, that was pretty tough, too.

“I never plan on having an injury like that again, knock on wood.”

For the moment, at least, he appears poised to take advantage of what could be his opportunity.

“It feels good just to get the pads back on, just to hit a little bit and get after it with some people,” Shugarts said. “Everything is going good, like my feet are good, the shoulder feels great. I’m just real excited to finally get to play again.”

An Ohio State spokesperson confirmed that receiver/returner Ray Small and defensive end Robert Rose, both seniors, have rejoined the team. Neither was allowed to practice the first several days of camp because of academic issues.