If Ohio State's football season rests on the shoulders of Heisman Trophy candidate Braxton Miller, Buckeyes fans had better hope he can bear the weight on his left one.
The star quarterback reportedly reinjured his right shoulder in practice Monday, putting his playing status for the coming season in doubt, according to The Columbus Dispatch. The report indicates that redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett will likely handle the Buckeyes' season opener against Navy.
Miller has been practicing under precaution as he recovers from surgery on the shoulder. In fact, the Ohio State senior had just indicated he was on a good pace to return for the start of the season. If Miller is unable to play for an extended period of time, it could be disastrous news for an Ohio State team with legitimate national championship hopes.
Working in Ohio State's favor during any absence for Miller is a relatively weak schedule that includes only one team ranked in the AP's preseason top 25. Still, a Week 2 home game against Virginia Tech looms as a potentially stiff test for Barnett if Miller is unable to return before then.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread.*
