Emeka Egbuka being evaluated after leaving Maryland game with injury
COLUMBUS — Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka left the game after an awkward tackle in the second half of the Buckeyes win over Notre Dame.
The team’s leading receiver so far this season didn’t return, although Lettermen Row did see him on the exercise bike during the fourth quarter Saturday.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day provided an update, sort of, on the status of Egbuka immediately after the game in his postgame press conference.
“They’re evaluating him now,” Day said. “It doesn’t seem like something major but, you know, I don’t really have much of an answer for you right now.”
Egbuka had three catches on four targets, totaling 40 yards receiving Saturday against Maryland. He was on his way to helping the Buckeyes offense snap out of its slow start when he was tackled on the opposing sideline and came up limping before falling to the turf and being assisted by trainers.
He then made his way into the medical tent for evaluation before returning to the sideline, using the exercise bike and staying active. He didn’t return to action, however, even missing a punt-return assignment that went to junior wide receiver Jayden Ballard instead.
FOX Sports’ Jenny Taft did have an update on Egbuka during the game, when FOX was down on the field near Egbuka.
“He is out of the tent thankfully,” Taft said on the broadcast. “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.”
Of course, Day didn’t know much about the injury in the immediate aftermath of the game. But he will certainly address it further Tuesday when the media meets with him for his weekly press conference.
Ohio State is already going through some issues with wide receiver injuries, as other star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. played Saturday with a sprained ankle that he suffered two weeks ago in the win at Notre Dame.
Harrison battled through the injury and had one of the best games of the season for the Buckeyes. He had eight catches for 163 yards and a touchdown grab, a pass he caught one play after having a touchdown catch called back due to penalty.
With Harrison already banged up, the Buckeyes need more from their other wide receivers. Emeka Egbuka is among the top weapons on this roster — and in all of college football.
And now his status is uncertain after he left the Ohio State win over Maryland early.
Lettermen Row will have more information on Egbuka’s status when that information becomes available.
