Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin is out indefinitely after suffering an injury to his throwing arm during the Buckeyes’ victory over Indiana, head coach Ryan Day announced.
Day told reporters that the team is bracing for the possibility that the junior signal-caller will not return this year, preparing strategies for his absence through both the rest of the regular season and the postseason. Sayin was hurt late in the fourth quarter on a sack during Saturday’s 19-15 triumph in Bloomington, which snapped Indiana’s 22-game winning streak. He left the field and later returned to the sideline wearing a sling, according to USA TODAY Sports.
Buckeyes prepare for extended absence
Day declined to establish a firm recovery timetable on Tuesday, emphasizing that he wanted to respect the privacy of Sayin and his family. The announcement expanded on comments Day made on radio station 97.1 The Fan on Monday, when he indicated the quarterback would miss at least several weeks while undergoing medical evaluations.
“We are not going to put any timeline on his recovery, but he is out indefinitely,” Day told reporters. “Based on the nature of the injury, we’re putting together a plan for him not being available for the regular season and him not being available for the postseason.”
The Sporting News reported that the ailment was diagnosed as an elbow injury. Sayin, a Heisman Trophy finalist a year ago who has started 21 consecutive games for the Buckeyes, had completed 68.2 percent of his throws this season for 2,007 yards, 19 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also ranked tied for third across the country with 10.5 yards per passing attempt, according to USA TODAY Sports.
“This is all bigger than just one person,” Day said. “Certainly we don’t want to see him get hurt, and we need him. At the same time, we’ll come together and figure this out.”
Quarterback room faces sudden test
The third-ranked Buckeyes, currently 6-1 overall and 4-0 in Big Ten action, entered a scheduled bye week before traveling west to face Southern California on Halloween night. The break gives the coaching staff an immediate window to evaluate their remaining options under center.
True freshman Luke Fahey stepped in to finish the Indiana game, attempting two passes without a completion. Fahey, who won the primary backup role before the season, has completed 9 of 13 throws for 202 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in reserve action this year, Buckeyes Wire reported. However, Day indicated that former five-star recruit Tavien St. Clair will also compete for snaps in practice.
“Going into the last few games, Luke’s been ahead of Tavien in terms of what we’ve seen, but now that we have a bye week, these guys are both gonna get a lot of reps,” Day said. He added that the program could utilize both players depending on how practice unfolds, noting, “We’re gonna play the guy that gives us the best chance to win.”
Championship aspirations in balance
Sayin’s sidelined status delivers a major shock to Ohio State’s College Football Playoff ambitions. Beyond the quarterback room, the switch could also influence the Heisman campaign of wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, USA TODAY Sports noted. Smith has served as the offense’s central weapon, recording 52 receptions for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns across the first seven games.
What remains to be seen is how quickly the offense can adapt to a rookie passer with a demanding stretch ahead. Following the trip to USC, the Buckeyes will host Oregon and Northwestern before closing out the regular season with matchups against Nebraska and archrival Michigan.
