The curious case of Braxton Miller’s surgically-repaired shoulder continued Monday morning, but Ohio State’s most important player has a message for fretting fans.

“You know I'm fine, it's just progression in my shoulder and it's precaution,” the senior quarterback and Heisman hopeful said. “I don't want to overdo it before the first game and I gotta sit out the first game ... it's part of the plan, we talk about it every day.”

Still, it’s a bizarre circumstance to be in considering the Buckeyes are less than two weeks away from their season opener against Navy.

Miller, who had surgery in February, and the coaching staff maintain he’s “100 percent” and that it’s all part of a plan to ease him back into the swing of things after spending spring ball in a sling.

But with every day that passes, Miller loses precious reps and Ohio State loses precious time to fortify an offense filled with new faces at just about every position.

“They're missing my voice out there,” Miller said. “They still hear me, but I'm not calling the plays. I'm still out there coaching, leading the guys, but I'm not taking all the reps and throwing.”

Ohio State, though, hasn’t hit the panic button. Not yet.

“I think the trainers are optimistic and everything is on schedule. Had a little bit of a setback with some additional soreness that we weren't expecting,” offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tom Herman said. “I'm not ready to say concerned is the right word."

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