COLUMBUS, Ohio — After a weekend of disappointment and frustration, Ohio State football received some positive news on Monday.
Per a program spokesperson, those Buckeye players not in quarantine or isolation due to coronavirus cases returned to the Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in “small group workouts” on Monday.
The spokesman told cleveland.com OSU is allowed to have such Monday activities if it did not practice over the previous weekend. Monday is typically an off day during the season.
Ohio State had been on a pause from all team-related football activities since Friday, when it announced the cancelation of the scheduled game at Illinois. Full team activities remain on pause, per the spokesperson.
The program has not disclosed the results of updated testing since Friday. Team officials said Saturday that the team’s test positivity rate needed to drop in order for the Buckeyes to play Saturday at Michigan State.
Additionally, no decision has been made regarding a resumption of full practices. Ohio State held non-contact walk-throughs with face masks and gaiters after first confirming positive tests in the middle of last week.
Ohio State first began experiencing new COVID-19 cases last Wednesday. By Friday, the positivity rate grew to the point that OSU decided it could not safely travel to Champaign and play the game.
Athletic director Gene Smith said OSU still hoped to play Saturday at Michigan State. If the Buckeyes can play, they will be the first Big Ten program to not end up canceling a second game after canceling one due to a COVID-19 testing spike.
While the small group workouts are a sign that Ohio State’s team is progressing towards practice and/or a game, individual players face more strict criteria.
Players who tested positive must undergo comprehensive cardiac testing, including labs and biomarkers, ECG, Echocardiogram and a Cardiac MRI. They then must be cleared by a cardiologist.
No player can return to competition earlier than 21 days after a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Those who tested positive last week are also expected to miss the Michigan State and Michigan games, if played.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day and any other coach or staff member who tested positive is eligible to return on Dec. 7, the Monday before the Michigan game.
New Ohio State face masks for sale: Here’s where you can buy Ohio State-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection. A 3-pack is available on Fanatics for $29.99.
Fanatics has released Ohio State Buckeyes Adult Face Coverings. This 3-pack of adult masks, retails for $29.99.
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