Ryan Day updates Jaxon Smith-Njigba injury status following Notre Dame game

Ohio State coach Ryan Day provided an update on the injury that kept receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba out for the second half against Notre Dame. Smith-Njigba left the game in the first half after receiving a big hit along the sideline and did not return before the halftime break. After the team took the field for the second half, Smith-Njigba still had not returned to game action, finally leaving the injury tent after an extended period of time and being ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Ohio State went on to win the game 21-10 after a dominant second-half performance, and Stroud spoke after the game about Njigba’s hopeful injury timeline.

Ryan Day updates Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s injury status

“Day said he hopes to get Smith-Njigba back this week,” detailed The Columbus Dispatch‘s Bill Rabinowitz. “Ryan Day said the offense got out of sync after Smith-Njigba’s injury but said he couldn’t be prouder of the way OSU rallied to beat a No. 5 team. He’s very happy with toughness and OSU’s defense.”

It’s still unclear exactly how badly Smith-Njigba was injured or even what the exact injury was, but his ability to remain with the team on the sideline while in pads is a good sign that it wasn’t a severe one. Ohio State will now turn their sights to Arkansas State next week, with Toledo after them.

After opening the season with one of the toughest games they’ll play all season, there should be ample time to work Smith-Njigba back to full health and give him plenty of practice time as he recovers.

Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud gave his own thoughts on the injury to his receiver, stating after the game that his teammates stepped up in Smith-Njigba’s absence.

“I love my brothers man, this is what we did in the offseason man,” said Stroud after the game. “It was a tough win and we’re a tough team, so that’s what we tried to prove tonight. But without Jaxon it was very tough. But the young guys stepped up really big … I just appreciate my team for sticking with me. It wasn’t perfect by me or the team and Notre Dame played hard, but we came away with the victory.”