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Will Howard injury update: Ohio State QB reveals what led to swollen hand vs. Texas

by:Alex Byington•about 9 hours•

_AlexByington

NCAA Football: Cotton Bowl-Ohio State at Texas
Jan 10, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) points toward the Texas Longhorns defense during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Will Howard played much of the College Football Playoff national semifinal against Texas with a large, golf ball-sized welt on his left, non-throwing hand.

Not that it impacted his play in the slightest, as the Ohio State fifth-year senior quarterback led the Buckeyes to a 28-14 win in last week’s Cotton Bowl to advance to next Monday’s CFP National Championship Game vs. Notre Dame in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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A smiling Howard opened up about what caused the welt during a recent media availability in Columbus.

“Great,” Howard said when asked his left hand was feeling. “I popped a blood vessel. … Naw, it didn’t hurt at all. I just looked down and it was pretty big. It happened earlier in the season too but nobody really noticed then.”

Howard’s swollen left hand was spotted by the FOX Sports cameras midway through the first half as the Buckeyes built an early 7-0 lead. Despite the large welt, Howard didn’t miss a beat, finishing 24-of-33 passing for 289 yards and one touchdown to one interception in the game. He also added a pivotal 18-yard run on fourth-and-2 that led to Ohio State’s go-head touchdown with 7:02 remaining in the game.

“I guess I’m swelling up this year, I don’t know what it is,” Howard deadpanned when asked if the welt is just part of the Will Howard experience.

Greg McElroy evaluates Will Howard in win over Texas

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard continued his strong play in the College Football Playoff this past Friday, throwing for 289 yards and a touchdown to help the Buckeyes get past Texas. Howard is throwing for 306 yards per game in the CFP and is a big reason why Ohio State is one win away from a national title.

ESPN college football analyst Greg McElroy recently spoke on the Always College Football Podcast about what he saw from Will Howard against Texas.

“Looking at Will Howard’s numbers, 24 of 33, 289, about 8 yards an attempt, that’s exactly what you need,” McElroy said of Will Howard. “He doesn’t need to throw for 400; he doesn’t need to throw for 150.”

As McElroy said, Howard doesn’t need to carry Ohio State to wins, but he also can’t be the reason the Buckeyes fall short. There is so much talent on the Ohio State roster, including at running back, that OSU can win without him putting up huge numbers.

“The way they’re running the football, they’re able to run the football really well right now,” McElroy said. “Both TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, 19 combined [touches] for 175 yards. That’s nearly 10 yards a clip for your two running backs, and three touchdowns, of course, as well. That is enormous.”

Matt Connolly contributed to this report.