Report: Miyan Williams out, TreVeyon Henderson to be game-time decision vs. Purdue

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson will be a game-time decision against Purdue, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Backup running back Miyan Williams is also not expected to play, either.

That leaves senior tailback Chip Trayanum, the team’s second-leading rusher behind Henderson, to carry the bulk of rushing attempts for the Buckeyes this afternoon.

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.

Kickoff between the Buckeyes and Boilermakers is scheduled for Noon ET live on Peacock.

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

On the other side of the field, 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 ways 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.

Egbuka is one half of Ohio State’s two-headed monster at wide receiver alongside Harrison This year, he sits third on the roster with 303 receiving yards and three touchdowns to help Ohio State get off to a perfect 5-0 start to the season.

Egbuka’s absence could be an opportunity for other younger receivers to step up. Julian Fleming ranks behind him with 15 catches for 153 receiving yards, and freshman standout Carnell Tate has added 83 yards and a touchdown on five receptions so far this season. The Buckeyes also have a talented pass-catcher at tight end in Cade Stover, who’s second on the roster with 306 yards and a touchdown this season.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this article.