Ohio State starting center Seth McLaughlin tore an Achilles tendon in practice on Tuesday, a source told The Dispatch.
He’s likely to miss the rest of the season, as the usual timeline to recover from an Achilles tear is months.
The setback is significant for the Buckeyes, who have already suffered injuries on their offensive line ahead of the stretch run of the season that begins with a top-five matchup against unbeaten Indiana on Saturday.
Josh Simmons, the much-improved starting left tackle who transferred from San Diego State last year, suffered a season-ending knee injury in a loss at Oregon last month.
Without Simmons available on the blind side, the Buckeyes reshuffled the line, moving left guard Donovan Jackson to tackle and inserting Carson Hinzman at guard in place of Jackson, a configuration that debuted in a win at Penn State three weeks ago.
