COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Hours after he was announced as Ohio State's starting fullback for this weekend's season opener, junior Jesse Kline told coach Jim Tressel on Tuesday that he was leaving the team for health reasons.
He became the second starter who may not play Saturday for the 13th-ranked Buckeyes against Texas Tech in the Pigskin Classic.
Earlier Tuesday, Tressel said flanker Chris Vance would not be available for the game because of an unspecified violation of team policy.
Kline's decision was the latest blow to a team that has lost several key players in recent weeks.
On Tuesday, Tressel said Vance and freshman defensive lineman Quinn Pitcock would not be available to play Saturday. Pitcock was arrested for underage drinking over the weekend.
Vance, a senior, caught 34 passes for 605 yards and four touchdowns last year after transferring from Fort Scott Community College. He was Ohio State's second-leading receiver, starting eight of the Buckeyes' 12 games.
Kline, who was redshirted as a freshman, would have been making his first collegiate start against Texas Tech.
Tressel said he would welcome Kline back if he changed his mind. Kline was scheduled to meet with Tressel on Wednesday morning.
Tressel said freshman Brandon Schnittker would take Kline's spot if he did not return to the team by Saturday. Jack Tucker, a fifth-year senior, would also figure into the mix.
Vance will be replaced by Chris Gamble, who will make his first career start.
He became the second starter who may not play Saturday for the 13th-ranked Buckeyes against Texas Tech in the Pigskin Classic.
Earlier Tuesday, Tressel said flanker Chris Vance would not be available for the game because of an unspecified violation of team policy.
Kline's decision was the latest blow to a team that has lost several key players in recent weeks.
On Tuesday, Tressel said Vance and freshman defensive lineman Quinn Pitcock would not be available to play Saturday. Pitcock was arrested for underage drinking over the weekend.
Vance, a senior, caught 34 passes for 605 yards and four touchdowns last year after transferring from Fort Scott Community College. He was Ohio State's second-leading receiver, starting eight of the Buckeyes' 12 games.
Kline, who was redshirted as a freshman, would have been making his first collegiate start against Texas Tech.
Tressel said he would welcome Kline back if he changed his mind. Kline was scheduled to meet with Tressel on Wednesday morning.
Tressel said freshman Brandon Schnittker would take Kline's spot if he did not return to the team by Saturday. Jack Tucker, a fifth-year senior, would also figure into the mix.
Vance will be replaced by Chris Gamble, who will make his first career start.
