Ohio State WR Noah Brown breaks leg in practice

Ohio State sophomore wide receiver Noah Brown, bidding for a starting job this season, suffered a broken left leg during Wednesday's practice and will undergo season-ending surgery.

The surgery is scheduled for Thursday at Ohio State University Medical Center. Brown, who is from Flanders, N.J., is expected to make a full recovery.

Brown was taken off the field on a cart and transported to the hospital. His teammates were somber coming off the practice field. Ohio State canceled a scheduled interview session with players and coaches.

Fellow wide receiver Michael Thomas, a returning starter, tweeted, "I'm not going to give up my faith. I know the Lord has something greater for you. Just a bump in the road we have to overcome together ... NB."

The 6-foot-2, 222-pound Brown was recognized by teammates and coaches as one of the most improved players in preseason camp and was a contender for a starting wideout spot.

The top-ranked Buckeyes enter their Sept. 7 opener against Virginia Tech without Jalin Marshall, Dontre Wilson and now Brown. Marshall, Wilson and Brown are receivers or H-backs facing suspensions for the first game for a violation of team rules.

Ohio State moved former All-Big Ten quarterback on Braxton Miller and freshman Torrance Gibson, one of the nation's top quarterback recruits in 2015, to receiver at the start of fall camp.