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Illinois football injury report vs Ohio State has running back room ready to go

The Illinois football team is going to need everyone healthy against Ohio State on Saturday.
ByRees Woodcock|
Sep 27, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema leads his team down the Illini Walk before an NCAA football game with the Southern California Trojans at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Sep 27, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema leads his team down the Illini Walk before an NCAA football game with the Southern California Trojans at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois football needed to be at somewhat full strength this weekend against Ohio State, and it looks like that will be the case.

It has been hit and miss on which players the Illini will have suit up each week. We have missed starting running back Aidan Laughery the last few weeks due to injury. That might have been the biggest blow, as our running back room hasn’t performed well in this stretch.

But Laughery, along with many others, should be able to go against the Buckeyes. This should enable the Illini to keep up with Ohio State for at least some of the game.

Here is the Illinois football injury report vs the Ohio State Buckeyes

  • RB Aidan Laughery (Starter) – Should be good to go
  • OLB Daniel Brown (Starter) – Should be good to go
  • S Mac Resetich (Rotational) – Should be good to go
  • C Josh Kreutz (Starter) – Questionable
  • CB Xavier Scott (Starter) – Out
  • TE Grant Smith (3rd String+) – Out for season
  • OG JJ Hirdes (3rd String+) – Out for season
  • RB John Froester (3rd String+) – Out for season
  • DB Tywan Cox (3rd String+) – Out for season

Having Aidan Laughery back against Ohio State will make the biggest difference for the Illinois football team

All injuries are important, as each player plays a certain role on the team. Like Bret Bielema says, even if it is just one play a game, each player has their duties to perform.

When it comes to consistent impact, though, I think Laughery takes the cake. He is someone who can completely change the Illinois offense.

This season, Illinois converts just 37.5% of third downs. That is bad enough to rank No. 80 in the country. Laughery has played in three out of the six games so far. In the three games he missed, Illinois averaged converting 30% of third downs. In the games he has played, Illinois is converting 46.9% of third downs.

Laughery’s impact on Illinois doesn’t go unnoticed. He gives the offense a tremendous boost, and we are going to need that against a team like Ohio State on Saturday.

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