The bad news has been confirmed for the Ohio State Buckeyes, as head coach Ryan Day announced Tuesday that star quarterback Julian Sayin is "out indefinitely" after leaving late in the game against Indiana sporting a sling on his right arm.
The Buckeyes are one of the best teams in the country this season, but they could have to navigate the rest of the season with backup quarterback Luke Fahey, who subbed in for Sayin against the Hoosiers. That would include the upcoming Nov. 7 matchup in Columbus against the Oregon Ducks, who are dealing with a quarterback injury of their own right now.
Day declined to give a timeline on Sayin's recovery, but he did not sound optimistic about Sayin returning in time to face the Ducks or for the rest of the season.
"Based on the nature of the injury," Day said. "We are putting together a plan for (Sayin) not being available for the regular season and also him not being available for the postseason. If he's not able to return this fall, we're putting together a plan for that as well."
In his place, the Buckeyes are expected to continue to play Fahey, a three-star freshman, in his place. Fahey unexpectedly beat out former five-star Tavien St. Clair for the backup job in fall camp. There is a possibility that both quarterbacks could be used in the future, but as of now, Fahey is the one holding the cards.
NEW: Ohio State QB Julian Sayin is out indefinitely with an elbow injury, Ryan Day announced.
— On3 (@On3) October 20, 2026
The Buckeyes are putting together a plan as if he will be out for the remainder of the 2026 season. https://t.co/vZccuE1sFp pic.twitter.com/emb1T3z9X1
"Certainly we don’t want to see (Sayin) get hurt, and we need him," Day said. "At the same time, we’ll come together and figure this out. We’ve got a good team. When Luke’s in there, we just may need to do things just a little bit differently, but the bye week gives us a chance to regroup on that and put our heads together.”
Oregon's season to this point has been a disappointment, but everything could change with a win on the road at Ohio State. The Ducks are hoping to get Dante Moore back in the lineup soon, but he has been week-to-week while recovering from a concussion he suffered against USC nearly one month ago.
The Ducks have struggled on offense in the two games they've played without him, starting both Dylan Raiola and Brock Thomas. If Moore is back in time for the matchup against the Buckeyes, the Ducks' chances of pulling off the upset on the road will only increase.
Ohio State is on a bye this week before traveling to face USC in Los Angeles on Halloween. Oregon will make its first trip of the season to the Midwest this week to take on Illinois.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Ohio State QB Julian Sayin out indefinitely ahead of Oregon game
