Buckeyes Lose DE Omari Abor For Several Months With Injury

Abor will miss the second consecutive year at Ohio State after undergoing surgery.

Ohio State is looking to return to the peak of the Big Ten in 2023. If accomplished, the Buckeyes will be doing so without one of their key defenders. 

Ryan Day announced Wednesday that defensive end Omari Abor underwent surgery this week for an undisclosed injury. When asked about his status for the regular season, Day said he would be out for an extended period. 

“It’s going to be at least a couple of months before he’s back,” Day said during his press conference.

Abor, who was expected to see an extended amount of reps in place of the departed Zach Harrison, posted to his Instagram story Tuesday that he had undergone surgery. Day did not specify what the injury was or the nature of how the injury was sustained. 

While Abor's absence leaves a hole in the trenches, Day said he "feels OK" about their remaining talent on staff. The Buckeyes lost Harrison to the NFL Draft and Javontae Jean-Baptiste to the transfer portal (Notre Dame), but retained J.T. Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Kenyatta Jackson, Caden Curry, Mitchell Melton and others. 

Tuimoloau possesses the most upside of the group after a strong finish to the 2022 season. The 6-4 junior finished his then-sophomore campaign with 28 tackles, 10.5 tackles for losses and 3.5 sacks, two of which coming a Week 9 win over then-No. 13 Penn State. 

Jackson, a rising sophomore, rarely saw action in 2022 due to depth. Sawyer, a 6-4 junior, finished tied for the team lead in QB takedowns with 4.5. 

Abor, a native of Duncanville, Texas, missed most of his freshman season with a knee injury, totaling just a handful of snaps in Week 2's win over Arkansas State. Day said the redshirt freshman's injury was the only significant one so far in fall camp. 

"There are a few things that come up in the short term," Day said, "but that's part of being in camp."

Ohio State opens the season against Indiana on Sept. 2 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. 

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