Brandon Inniss set to sit out for Ohio State as WR depth chart shifts vs. Maryland

Ohio State enters its Saturday matchup with Maryland with a notable personnel absence in the passing game. Brandon Inniss, a key piece of the Buckeyes’ wide receiver group, is not expected to be on the field for the Terps, according to Yahoo Sports’ report tied to the game-day injury situation.

For Ohio State, the immediate issue is less about having talented receivers and more about having the right mix at the right time. Inniss has been one of the Buckeyes’ more recognizable options in their receiving package, and the report frames his absence as a meaningful adjustment to the team’s wide receiver depth chart, especially in a game where route runners and timing windows matter early and often.

The Buckeyes have a top-of-the-depth-chart wide receiver identity that often dominates conversations, and that context was part of the reasoning in the Yahoo report. Even with that star-level expectation, Ohio State still needs its overall rotation to function as designed. In practice, that means less margin for error on third downs, fewer snaps to spread competitive matchups across the roster, and a more direct path for backups to handle significant responsibility.

Ohio State’s passing game is built around role definition, not just talent volume. When one receiver is removed from the equation, coaches typically respond by shifting snaps, tightening the play-calling to what quarterbacks trust at that moment, and leaning more heavily on the receivers who can replicate the missing skill set in the existing formations. The Yahoo report points to that ripple effect, describing Inniss’s status as something that impacts how Ohio State will deploy “guys like him” across the depth chart, not just a single spot on the roster.

Maryland, meanwhile, will prepare for the Buckeyes with a weekly emphasis on coverage tendencies and the ability to disrupt timing. If Ohio State has to lean more on other players than it would with Inniss available, Maryland’s defensive preparation can take on a sharper focus, especially on zones and man matchups where specific receiver roles normally drive the passing cadence. The matchup becomes as much about who gets targeted and why as it is about who is available.

The most important thing to watch next is whether the absence changes Ohio State’s offensive rhythm rather than just its personnel list. Look for whether the Buckeyes’ formations and routes stay consistent with their typical receiving plan, or if the game-day adjustments suggest a more conservative approach. Also watch for how the target distribution evolves, since a widened gap between top options and the rest of the receiving rotation can affect how quickly drives convert and whether Ohio State can sustain pressure late.