Ohio State's bid for a National Championship took a hit Monday when senior quarterback Braxton Miller reinjured his throwing shoulder at practice. The injury reportedly could sideline Miller for the entire season, likely making redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett the Buckeyes' new starting quarterback.
Miller's season may be finished before it even started. The potential Heisman candidate suffered the right-shoulder injury at practice Monday while throwing a routine pass, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Sources told the newspaper the injury could cost Miller his season.
"Sources said last night that a quick return for Miller is not likely," Tim May of The Dispatch wrote on Tuesday. "Miller could be facing another surgical procedure, though that might not be decided for a couple of days."
The team hasn't yet confirmed whether Miller will miss the season, and he's expected to undergo more medical tests Tuesday.
Miller, who has a history of injuries, first injured his shoulder on Jan. 3 in Ohio State's Orange Bowl loss to Clemson. He sat out the team's spring practice as he continued recovering from the injury.
The potential loss of Miller thrusts into the spotlight Barrett, the first signal caller fully recruited to Ohio State by Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer and offensive coordinator Tom Herman in 2013.
Barrett, a Texas native, tore his ACL in October 2012 and redshirted the 2013 season as he continued rehabbing his knee. Although losing Miller is a tremendous blow to the Buckeyes' title aspirations, Barrett has the potential to be a star and to give the offense a different feel.
"(He) gets the ball out quickly. Very efficient. Smooth release. Very accurate. Extremely cerebral. Very Magnetic leader," Herman said last Sunday at media day, via The Dispatch. "I think the kids kind of gravitate towards him.
"We've got to work on strengthening his arm. He's a distant third to Braxton and Cardale (Jones) in terms of just rearing back and trying to throw it through a wall. But he makes up for it in his anticipation and his accuracy and all that. You don't have to have a howitzer to be successful in college football. I'm very pleased with his continuing growth."
Ohio State opens the season on Aug. 30 at Navy.
UPDATE (1:25 p.m.): ESPN reports Miller is out for the season.
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