Aug 20, 2014 11:27 AM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

The Ohio State Buckeyes have acknowledged that Braxton Miller will have to sit out the season after re-injuring his right shoulder, but his college football career is not over.

In a press release from the Buckeyes football team, Miller said he plans on graduating in December before enrolling in graduate school, enabling him to play one more season at Ohio State. Miller initially hurt his shoulder during the Orange Bowl last season and was not medically cleared to practice during the summer.

After finally declaring he was ready to go, Miller hurt the surgically repaired shoulder attempting a short pass during a noncontact practice Monday. Luckily, the three-year starter had not yet taken a redshirt season to buy an extra year of eligibility.

"I love Ohio State and Buckeye nation, and my goal is to come back from this injury stronger and better than ever," Miller said in the release. "I am on course to graduate in December and I want to attend graduate school, and then return to lead the Buckeyes next season. In the meantime, I want to give all the support I can to my coaches and teammates as they chase a championship this season."

ESPN and other news outlets cited unnamed sources Tuesday who said Miller's injury was season ending, but the team did not confirm until later that day.

Ohio State QB Braxton Miller is out for the season, a source told @ESPN

— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) August 19, 2014

"My thoughts and prayers are with Braxton and his family," Ohio State head football coach Urban Meyer said in the release. "This is an unfortunate injury to a young man who means so much to this program and to Buckeye nation."

The silver lining for both the Buckeyes and Miller is that the Heisman Trophy candidate will be back in a year. Regarded as an athletic, dual-threat quarterback, Miller has improved every year, especially as a passer. From 2012 to 2013, he elevated his Total Adjusted QBR from 69.7 to 81.3, which put him among the best in college football.

Both backups, Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett, have scant experience and only the former has played in a game. Barrett, a redshirt freshman, reportedly overtook Jones in the depth chart and is expected to start under center for the Buckeyes week one against Navy.

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