Hamstring injury forced Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson to learn patience

Patience is not among Donovan Jackson’s virtues.

“I’ve always been a stubborn kid,” Ohio State’s senior left guard said with a smile Wednesday. “You can ask my mom. Patience hasn’t always been my thing.”

The two-time first-team All-Big Ten lineman said he’d never missed a game, including youth league ball. When Jackson injured a hamstring in training camp, he had trouble accepting the the OSU medical staff’s timeline.

Aug 31, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) watches from the sideline during the NCAA football game against the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 52-6.

“That was a new thing for me, so I was freaking out a little bit,” Jackson said. “But our training staff just told me to trust the process.”

Like so many other seniors, Jackson postponed a chance at the NFL for a final college season. The Texan didn’t want to miss a minute of it. Instead, he was on the sidelines for Ohio State’s first two games.

Jackson made his season debut in Saturday’s 49-14 victory over Marshall.

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“It felt amazing,” Jackson said. “As a senior, I know I have only limited opportunities left to play in the Horseshoe. It weighed on me those first two games.”

Hamstring injuries can be tricky. A player can feel like it has healed, and then one movement can result in a major setback. Though their injuries were different, Jackson remembers how wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s final season was ruined by a hamstring injury two years ago.

When Jackson hurt his hamstring, he said he didn’t tell anyone. The next day, reality set in. Jackson thought he’d be back in two weeks. But two weeks later, he remained in pain.

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/hamstring-injury-forced-ohio-state-100842124.html

Author : The Columbus Dispatch

Publish date : 2024-09-26 10:08:42

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