Ryan Day uncertain on Emeka Egbuka's injury, does not expect anything 'major'

As Ohio State rallied back to defeat Maryland on Saturday, the Buckeyes saw wide receiver Emeka Egbuka leave the game with an injury. Afterward, Ryan Day said while he didn’t have much new to say, it seemed like the star receiver avoided a “major” injury.

Egbuka went down with an apparent knee injury in the fourth quarter and immediately headed to the tent. FOX Sports’ Jenny Taft reported it was likely a knee contusion, based on conversations with the medical staff, but Day said Egbuka was still being looked at as of the postgame press conference.

“They’re evaluating him now,” Day told reporters. “Doesn’t seem like something major, but I don’t really have much of an answer for you right now.”

Egbuka is a critical part of the Ohio State offensive attack this season, ranking second on the Buckeyes in receiving yards behind Marvin Harrison Jr. entering play Saturday. He had just one reception for three yards against Maryland when he left the field.

Egbuka ended up leaving the injury tent, but still had a limp when he did so, according to Taft.

“He is out of the tent thankfully,” Taft said. “Walking with a bit of a limp. I just heard from the medical staff, a bit of a lower leg contusion. It’s that right knee. We’ll see how he warms up. He’s questionable right now.”

Harrison is getting plenty of attention in NFL Draft circles, and understandably so. But Egbuka has also seen his stock rise as he came in as the No. 9 overall pick in CBS Sports’ latest mock draft earlier this week. He and Harrison provide quite the one-two punch for the Buckeyes, who entered Saturday’s game leading the Big Ten in passing offense.

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. also gave Egbuka a first-round grade, and explained why during Monday’s edition of Monday Blitz on ESPN.

“Emeka Egbuka, what a player he is,” Kiper said. “And if you go back to last season, in 15 of the last 17 games, he’s had a catch of over 20 yards. He’s Mr. Consistency. He’s so reliable, so smooth. He’s in the slot most of the time making clutch, third-down catches.”

With Kyle McCord now the established starter, Kiper expects his chemistry with Egbuka to continue to improve.

“Now that Kyle McCord is settling in as that starting quarterback, his numbers should go through the roof, along with Harrison,” Kiper said of Egbuka. “You think about… when Harrison is out, he’s the guy. They’ve got two outstanding receivers.”

On3’s Matt Connolly contributed to this report.