Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller is scheduled to have minor surgery Friday on his right shoulder.
Miller suffered the injury to his throwing shoulder on the fifth play of the Buckeyes' Orange Bowl loss to Clemson, when he was sacked by Tigers defensive end Vic Beasley. Miller was sacked five times in that game.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that Miller's recovery "likely will limit his activity during spring practice," which begins March 4.
Miller had toyed with the idea of turning pro after the 2013 season, but he wisely decided to remain in school. He is an excellent athlete and a true dual-threat quarterback, but he must become a more consistent passer.
Ohio State has no proven depth at the position. Sophomore Cardale Jones will head into spring as the No. 2 man on the depth chart. Jones, who was listed at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds by Ohio State in 2013, saw mop-up duty in three games, throwing two passes and rushing 17 times. Redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett, whom some schools recruited as a cornerback, and true freshman prospect Stephen Collier, a three-star prospect who already has enrolled, are the other scholarship quarterbacks on the roster for spring drills. Miller's surgery actually could help a bit in that the backups will get more reps during spring practice.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.