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Anderson Russell has played more in Ohio State's base defense as a starting safety, pushing Jermale Hines back to his spot as the nickel back, largely due to Hines' elbow injury. The Buckeyes want to keep Hines in the lineup but are trying to limit his snaps, and Russell has also played well lately.
Jermale Hines continues to battle a nagging elbow injury. That's the reason Anderson Russell has been starting the past few games. Haynes said it saves Hines about 20 plays a game, anything they can do to try and reduce the wear and tear.
Hines ready to play
Jermale Hines, one of the Buckeyes' three regular safeties, has been banged up for a while. But Tressel said he won't be limited against Iowa.
Ohio State's Jermale Hines, Thaddeus Gibson among Buckeyes with NFL decisions to make
By Doug Lesmerises, The Plain Dealer
December 30, 2009
Jermale Hines got a late start to his Ohio State career, his freshman eligibility held up for five games while the NCAA confirmed his high school paperwork in 2007. Now the Glenville High grad might be ending his career early. Defensive linemen Thaddeus Gibson and Cameron Heyward and cornerback Chimdi Chekwa are the players most often mentioned as the Buckeyes most likely to leave school early for the NFL Draft. But Hines, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound safety with size, speed and play-making ability, will seriously consider ending his career after the Rose Bowl as well.
"I'll sit down after the season, depending on my game this game, and we'll come up with the best decision," Hines said today. "I'm definitely not set. It all depends on my family situation and what's best for me."
Hines has been playing with a hyper-extended right elbow for the last six games, and his playing time diminished some as the Buckeyes tried to rest him more. He's wearing a brace in practice, but said the elbow feels better than it has. With the Buckeyes expected to play a nickel defense much of the time against Oregon, he'll be on the field a lot. And then he might be gone.
"I feel I would be ready [for the NFL]," Hines said. "It would be a little bit of an adjustment, but I feel with the attitude I've got and the toughness, I feel I'd be ready."
Pryor2Posey;1636394; said:any word on which way he's leaning?