COLUMBUS — Ohio State coach Jim Tressel says tailback Chris “Beanie” Wells will not play when the third-ranked Buckeyes take on Ohio University on Saturday.

Wells was injured in last weekend’s 43-0 victory over Youngstown State. He has not practiced with the team this week and has spent much of the time wearing a protective boot.

Tressel told reporters Thursday that while he feels good about Wells’ progress, there wasn’t enough progress for Wells to practice with the team through Wednesday.

Tressel said it’s too early to speculate on whether Wells would be available for the game on Sept. 13 at No. 1 Southern California.

Wells has an injury at the base of his big toe on his right foot, said coach Dick Tressel, the older brother of coach Jim Tressel. Wells has difficulty putting pressure on the foot and has not participated in full practices this week, Dick Tressel said.

Wells was injured in the third quarter of Ohio State's 43-0 victory over Youngstown State on Saturday. He writhed on the ground and was eventually helped off the field. He returned to watch the final few minutes, wearing a protective black boot on his foot.

With Wells out of Saturday's game, a group of four running backs will all see playing time: Maurice Wells, Brandon Saine, Dan "Boom" Herron and Marcus Williams.