Chip Trayanum leaves game after nasty hit, down top three running backs vs Purdue

Ohio State running back Chip Trayanum was leveled by dueling hits from Purdue defenders during the first quarter on Saturday.

He tried to shake it off but was taken out of the game and checked out in the medical tent. Trayanum is now back on the sideline with the rest of the team — without his helmet, according to Dan Hope. That is a likely indicator he will not be returning anytime soon.

The injury would be a blow on any day — but especially when Ohio State is down the services of the other two top running backs — TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams are also out of the game with injuries.

Henderson was forced to miss last week’s matchup against Maryland. Without his services, the Buckeyes averaged less than two yards per rush against the Terrapins, though they still had Williams to fall back on. That won’t be the case Saturday, and if Henderson can’t go either — there will be a lot of ground to make up for Ohio State through the air.

Last week, Trayanum led the Buckeyes with 61 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Miyan Williams had 23 yards on six totes for Ohio State.

Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day has been forced to turn to the services of wide receiver Xavier Johnson to play out of the backfield. Dallan Hayden is the fourth running back on the roster, both of whom will carry the bulk of the rushing attempts for the rest of the afternoon.

Despite this, Ohio State entered the second quarter with a 13-0 lead with the ball. Catch the rest of the game exclusively on Peacock.

Emeka Egbuka did not travel with Ohio State to Purdue, will sit out Week 7 matchup

Before the game, it was announced that Ohio State will be without wide receiver Emeka Egbuka this week against Purdue, Buckeyes coach Ryan Day told reporters Friday night. He didn’t make the trip to West Lafayette with the Buckeyes and, as a result, has been ruled out.

“Emeka won’t be able to make it tomorrow,” Day said. “We’ll put the injury report out, but he didn’t make the trip.”

As for who could step up in Egbuka’s place, Day said Ohio State has enough depth at wide receiver to fill his shoes as the receiver opposite Marvin Harrison Jr.

“We’ve got plenty of guys in there that’ll do a great job,” Day said. “We’ve been practicing that way this week. So we’ve got some really good guys to step in for him.” 

Egbuka went down with an injury in last week’s game against Maryland and didn’t return. Afterward, Day didn’t sound too concerned about his status going forward, but he’ll now sit out the Week 7 matchup against Purdue.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this article.