Ohio State's Earl Little Jr. to return soon after knee procedure

Buckeyes safety missed spring game, but expected back in a few weeks

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:48pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football player in motion, their form broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, conceptually representing the recovery process from a minor injury.A cubist interpretation of a key Ohio State defensive back's recovery from a minor injury, setting him up for a full summer of preparation.Columbus Today

Ohio State football safety Earl Little Jr. missed the latter part of spring practice, including the team's spring game, due to a knee procedure. Head coach Ryan Day said Little will be back in a few weeks after the team took care of the issue during this time of year.

Why it matters

Ohio State has dealt with a number of key injuries this offseason, including to running backs, tight ends, and offensive linemen. Getting Little back healthy will be important for the Buckeyes' defense heading into the 2026 season.

The details

Little, a safety, flashed early in spring practice but then had a 'little bit of a setback' that required a knee procedure. Coach Day said the team wanted to make sure they took care of the issue now so Little can have a full summer to prepare for the upcoming season.

  • Little missed the latter part of spring practice, including the spring game on April 15, 2026.
  • Little is expected to return in 'a few weeks' after the procedure.

The players

Earl Little Jr.

A safety on the Ohio State football team who missed the latter part of spring practice due to a knee procedure.

Ryan Day

The head coach of the Ohio State football team.

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What they’re saying

“He'll be back here in a few weeks. Just some of these things that this time of year, it's the right time to get them done so that they can get put behind us — as much as we'd love to see them continue to evolve with the defense.”

— Ryan Day, Head Coach

What’s next

Little is expected to be fully healthy and ready to participate when Ohio State begins preseason camp.

The takeaway

Injuries have been a concern for Ohio State this offseason, but getting key players like Earl Little Jr. back healthy will be crucial for the Buckeyes as they prepare for the 2026 season.