If mother knows best, then Ohio State fans should be a bit relieved.

Paulette Wells, mother of Ohio State's Chris "Beanie" Wells, told the Columbus Dispatch on Wednesday that the star running back has a toe injury — but not turf toe — and has every intention of playing against Ohio University on Saturday.

That's about the clearest report yet on Wells' status, following Tuesday's weekly news conference with Jim Tressel. The coach of the No. 3 Buckeyes avoided definitive answers and claimed he had no idea what Wells' injury was.

"His foot's hurting," was the most specific Tressel would be.

Wells has not been made available to reporters since suffering the injury Saturday against Youngstown State. It appeared serious at first, based on how quickly Wells dropped to the ground, cried out and grabbed his right foot.

He has not practiced the past two days, but "he's feeling good, he's not down," his mom told the Dispatch.

Tressel called Wells doubtful for Saturday's game, which comes a week before a showdown at No. 1 USC. He said every time Wells has seen the trainers the past few days, "he seems better."

Paulette Wells told the Dispatch her son is "very optimistic" about playing Saturday, although the Buckeyes are heavy favorites.

"You know him," she said. "He doesn't want to sit for a week and be rusty (for USC)."

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