Sayin Won’t Return for Ohio State’s Oregon Game

Ohio State coach Ryan Day said quarterback Julian Sayin will not return within the next month as he recovers from an injury to his throwing arm or shoulder. The update means Sayin will miss the Buckeyes’ game against No. 23 Oregon, and his return for the rest of the season remains uncertain.

Day said the injury appeared to be healing and called the outcome a decent one given what the team had feared. After Sayin was hurt, Ohio State prepared for the possibility that he might not play again in 2026. Day had initially described him as out indefinitely.

Sayin was injured during Ohio State’s narrow win at Indiana on October 17. Before leaving, he connected on 68.2% of his throws, totaling 2,007 yards and 19 touchdowns, with four interceptions, and scored twice on the ground.

Luke Fahey now leads the offense at quarterback. In his first game after Ohio State’s bye, he completed 21 of 38 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown in a 30-18 loss at USC on October 31. Receiver Jeremiah Smith had 10 catches for 83 yards and a score.

Ohio State has lost twice and entered the first College Football Playoff rankings at No. 12, outside the projected bracket. Fahey is set to start against Oregon. Northwestern, Nebraska and Michigan are next on the Buckeyes’ regular-season schedule.