COLUMBUS, Ohio – Not only has the injury bug bitten the Buckeyes as they get ready for the Discover Orange Bowl, but so has the flu bug.
The Buckeyes are preparing to play Clemson on Friday night (8:30 p.m./ESPN).
A handful of players, along with several members of the team’s travel party, came down with flu-like symptoms Sunday night and Monday, an athletic department spokesman said. No starters were affected and all of those who felt ill were being isolated from the rest of the team.
Head coach Urban Meyer says All-Big Ten cornerback Bradley Roby is rehabilitating a bone bruise in his knee and that his status is uncertain for the game. Armani Reeves will step in if Roby is out.
Defensive coordinator Luke Fickell says middle linebacker Curtis Grant is still limited because of ongoing back issues.
Meyer says he may know Tuesday about the availability of All-Big Ten defensive end Noah Spence, who did not travel with the team to the Orange Bowl because of a “personal issue.”
Spence did not travel with the team Sunday. Meyer isn’t revealing details about the issue.
The sophomore leads the team and is second in the Big Ten in sacks with 8.0 and is sixth in the league with 13.5 tackles for loss.