Emeka Egbuka is expected to be back on the field soon for Ohio State, but it’s uncertain whether that will be this week.
Ryan Day said during his Tuesday press conference that the lower-body injury Egbuka suffered against Maryland on Saturday is “not going to be a long-term issue,” but that he did not yet have an update on whether Egbuka will be able to play at Purdue as the junior wide receiver’s status for this week is still being evaluated.
Egbuka was injured early in the fourth quarter against Maryland when he was tackled along the sideline on an 8-yard catch. He limped off the field with assistance from members of Ohio State’s medical staff and did not return to the game. He was seen riding a stationary bike on the sideline later in the fourth quarter, but was wearing a walking boot when he left the stadium after the game.
Emeka Egbuka just walked out of the locker room with a boot. pic.twitter.com/iwEOUQtTWj
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) October 7, 2023
Egbuka has caught 22 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns in Ohio State’s first five games of the season. If he is unable to play against Purdue, Xavier Johnson would likely take his place in the lineup as Ohio State’s slot receiver alongside Marvin Harrison Jr. and Julian Fleming.
In other injury-related news, Day said Tuesday that starting running back TreVeyon Henderson is still expected to return for this week‘s game against Purdue after missing the Maryland game with an undisclosed injury.
