GREEN & WHITE FOOTBALL

MSU update: Malik McDowell to miss OSU game

Chris Solari

Detroit Free Press

EAST LANSING – Mark Dantonio played coy earlier in the week about Malik McDowell’s injury status.

Nov 5, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) injures his knee during the third quarter against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

Turns out, Michigan State will have to play again today without its star defensive lineman.

The junior is not dressed for the Spartans as they take on No. 2 Ohio State (noon/ESPN). McDowell did not play in last week’s 49-0 win over Rutgers after suffering a left ankle injury on Nov. 5 at Illinois on top of his pre-existing rib problems.

The Spartans (3-7, 1-6 Big Ten) also are without safety Matt Morrissey, cornerback Tyson Smith, linebacker Byron Bullough, defensive end Gabe Sherrod and cornerback Drake Martinez. That is on top of four players who are done for the season: QB Brian Lewerke (broken leg), CB Vayante Copeland (broken foot), LB Jon Reschke (ankle), OL Tyler Higby (broken ankle).

Five players do return for MSU after missing last week’s win: linebacker Ed Davis, defensive end Evan Jones, defensive end Auston Robertson, fullback Prescott Line and offensive lineman Thiyo Lukusa.

Contact Chris Solari:csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@chrissolari.

Download our Spartans Xtra app for free onAppleandAndroiddevices!