“EDD-RICK HOUSTON RETURNS IN BRACE: Ohio State Defensive Standout Back at Practice, Limited to Stretching as Right Knee Recovery Continues”
Eddrick Houston’s return to the practice field on Friday brought a mix of relief and tempered anticipation for Ohio State fans, coaches, and teammates alike. After an injury that raised concerns about the status of one of the Buckeyes’ most promising defensive players, Houston was back in pads—albeit with a large brace on his right knee—and his presence alone sent a ripple of encouragement through the program. While he didn’t participate in team drills and was restricted to stretching alongside his teammates, his return marks a significant step in the recovery process and adds a new layer of narrative to a defense already stacked with talent and expectation heading into the 2025 season.
The importance of Houston to Ohio State’s defensive front cannot be overstated. A former five-star recruit and one of the crown jewels of the Buckeyes’ recent defensive classes, Houston entered Columbus with massive expectations—and so far, he’s lived up to the hype. Built like an NFL edge rusher even before his first collegiate snap, Houston possesses a rare blend of size, speed, and technique that separates him from his peers. His development was fast-tracked by a relentless work ethic and an advanced football IQ, and by the end of his freshman season, he was already being whispered about as a future cornerstone of the Ohio State defense.
When news of a knee injury first surfaced, there was immediate concern. The timing, ahead of the crucial preseason buildup, cast a shadow over what was supposed to be Houston’s breakout year. Speculation swirled over the severity of the injury and whether he might miss extended time, including some of the season’s pivotal early games. In that context, seeing him return to practice—even in a limited capacity—felt like a small victory. The sight of Houston jogging slowly, engaging in light movement and stretching, and standing engaged on the sidelines while his teammates went through team drills was as reassuring as it was strategic. Ohio State is not rushing his return; instead, they’re signaling long-term caution with a player they know could be a game-changer down the road.
Houston’s presence at practice, even while not participating in drills, carries weight. Leadership isn’t just about making plays—it’s also about being present, and Houston’s decision to suit up and join his teammates instead of rehabbing privately shows a level of maturity that coaches love. It also underscores the seriousness with which he takes his role on this team. For younger players, seeing Houston out there—clearly itching to get back in the mix—serves as a reminder that being a Buckeye isn’t just about what you do on game day. It’s about commitment every day, even when you’re not at 100 percent.
From a medical perspective, the knee brace suggests that while Houston has progressed enough to begin light movement, he’s not yet cleared for contact or lateral agility work—two crucial elements for a defensive end or edge rusher. The brace is likely being used as both protection and support as he regains strength and stability in the joint. Recovery timelines for knee injuries vary widely depending on the nature of the damage—ligaments, tendons, or cartilage—but the fact that Houston is walking and stretching without apparent pain is a strong indicator that the injury was less severe than initially feared. Ohio State has every incentive to handle this cautiously. Their defensive depth affords them that luxury, and with bigger goals on the horizon, risking a premature return would be shortsighted.
Houston’s situation also opens a window of opportunity for others on the depth chart. In his absence from full-speed drills, players like Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Caden Curry, and redshirt freshman Jason Moore have received increased reps with the first and second units. Competition has intensified, and that’s a good problem for defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who prides himself on developing rotational depth and unleashing a wave of relentless pass rushers. But even with those options, none carry quite the upside that Houston does. His raw tools, combined with the instincts he displayed even in limited snaps last year, give him the potential to be a true disruptor—someone who can change the course of a game with a single play. And that’s why his return is being watched so closely.
It’s not just the fans or media monitoring Houston’s progress. Teammates have spoken glowingly about him, both as a competitor and a teammate. Veteran leaders on the team, including linebacker Cody Simon and safety Lathan Ransom, have mentioned Houston in interviews, praising his motor and willingness to absorb coaching. They’ve also expressed hope that he’ll be back to full strength soon, though each has echoed the message that nothing will be rushed. This is a team that knows it’s built for a playoff run, and every cog in the machine must be firing in December and January—not necessarily in early August.
What’s also notable is how Ohio State’s sports medicine and training staff has handled the entire situation. The Buckeyes have built one of the most advanced sports performance programs in the country, integrating cutting-edge rehab protocols, strength training, and biomechanical assessments to ensure that players return from injury both healthy and confident. Houston’s rehab has been methodical, and the program’s transparency—or strategic lack thereof—has kept expectations in check while avoiding unnecessary panic. The image of him stretching Friday morning, surrounded by strength coaches and under the watchful eye of the training staff, was a quiet reminder that this is a process guided by science and patience, not desperation or urgency.
If and when Houston is cleared for full practice, the next step will be ramping up his conditioning and re-integrating him into team drills. From there, it will become a question of how quickly he can regain his timing, explosiveness, and game-readiness. For a position as physically demanding as edge rusher, those milliseconds of reaction time and those first two steps off the line are crucial—and no amount of stretching or film study can replicate live reps. But given his mental makeup and relentless drive, it wouldn’t be surprising if Houston adapts quickly once he’s cleared for action.
In the meantime, Houston’s brace-clad return serves another purpose: psychological uplift. For a team that’s battled injuries in key spots over the past few seasons, seeing one of their stars visibly progressing from a scare helps build morale. It also reinforces the depth and resilience of the roster. The Buckeyes are deep enough to weather a temporary absence, but they’re also smart enough to know that to beat the likes of Michigan, Penn State, or Georgia in the postseason, they’ll need every weapon available. Houston is one of those weapons—a missile in a brace, waiting for clearance.
As fall camp continues, media availability will be closely watched for any hint of when Houston might return to full participation. Coaches will likely remain guarded in their comments, offering hopeful but noncommittal updates. Still, his Friday appearance has already shifted the narrative. Instead of speculating about whether he’ll miss extended time, the conversation now turns toward when he’ll be fully operational and how quickly he can make an impact once he’s back. That shift, subtle as it may seem, is massive.
The journey back from injury is always personal, but in the world of elite college football, it’s also public. For Houston, each day of progress will be measured and scrutinized. But he seems built for that spotlight. His calm demeanor, his willingness to grind through adversity, and his obvious love for the game all suggest that he’ll emerge from this challenge even stronger. Whether that happens in Week 1 or later in the season remains to be seen, but what’s clear is this: Eddrick Houston is on his way back, and when he returns at full strength, he’ll be coming with a vengeance.
Until then, Buckeye Nation will keep watching, hoping, and waiting. For now, seeing number 8 stretching on the sidelines with a knee brace is more than enough to believe that better days—and more devastating quarterback pressures—are coming soon.
