Ryan Day drops concerning Julian Sayin injury update before Oregon game

Latest Julian Sayin injury update raises significant concerns for Ohio State.

Ryan Day provided the update on his radio show Thursday.

Day said Sayin is progressing from what has been reported as an elbow injury.

But the timeline is not what Buckeyes fans wanted to hear.

“It looks to be healing,” Day said.

“It’s not gonna be next week or next month, it’s gonna take some time, but for the long term we feel like we’re on a good track here.”

Sayin suffered the injury on Oct. 17 in the final minutes of Ohio State’s win over Indiana.

He took a sack in the fourth quarter and hurt his throwing arm.

After the game, Day said the Buckeyes expected Sayin to be out several weeks.

The following week, Sayin was ruled out indefinitely.

Day said Ohio State had a plan for Sayin not returning this season or the postseason.

Sayin went back to his home state of California after the injury.

He was on Ohio State’s sideline in a sling during the loss at USC last week.

Day said Sayin has since returned to Columbus and has been active in helping backup Luke Fahey.

“I think it’s important for him to be around the guys,” Day said.

“I think it says a lot about him that he’s not just off doing his rehab or whatever. He’s with the team, and he takes his role very seriously.”

Before the injury, Sayin had thrown for 2,007 yards with 19 touchdowns and four interceptions.

He was having a strong season as Ohio State’s starter.

Now the Buckeyes must move forward without him for the rest of the regular season.

That puts Ohio State in a difficult position.

The Buckeyes already have two losses after a disappointing defeat to USC last week.

Backup Luke Fahey filled in for Sayin against USC and struggled.

Ohio State almost certainly cannot afford to lose again if it wants to make the College Football Playoff.

But the schedule ahead is brutal.

The Buckeyes face Oregon, Northwestern, Nebraska and Michigan in November.

Oregon is up first, and that game suddenly carries enormous weight.

Day said the team is focused on the next man up.

But the reality is that Ohio State will be navigating the toughest stretch of its season without its starting quarterback.

Sayin’s status for the College Football Playoff is in doubt as well, provided the Buckeyes make the field.

That playoff bid is no sure thing with two losses already.