Although coach Ron Zook said Saturday that he felt injuries on the offensive line had taken a toll on the Illini, he said Sunday afternoon that the line appears to be getting healthy with two games remaining.

Ryan Palmer is back at right tackle and will continue to split time with Jeff Allen. The next week of practice will determine who starts against Ohio State. Left tackle Xavier Fulton made it through the Western Michigan game without reinjuring his shoulder, although he left the game after taking a hit.

“Hopefully they might be getting healthy at the right time,” Zook said.

However, he did say that center Ryan McDonald is still experiencing some problems related to the knee injury he suffered during training camp, although he has yet to miss a game or a start.

There is no getting past the fact that having freshmen at the two tackle spots has been a problem in recent games. Corey Lewis has replaced Fulton when he couldn’t go. He and Allen will continue to see time.

“They’re doing some things that freshmen do and it’s something we have to live with,” Zook said. “We have to do things to help them, which is change some of the things people expect us to do.”

Fullback Rahkeem Smith and linebacker Ian Thomas were suspended for the Western Michigan game for violating team rules. Zook said he didn’t know if they would be activated for the Ohio State game.