Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin will miss several weeks with a right shoulder injury suffered in the fourth quarter of the Buckeyes’ 19-15 win over Indiana on Saturday, Oct. 17, coach Ryan Day said. Sayin was hit on his right shoulder by Indiana’s Mario Landino on a sack that forced a fumble in the fourth quarter. He left the locker room with his arm in a sling and did not return.
Sayin had completed 15 of 29 passes for 235 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions before the injury. His 38-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Smith on fourth-and-1 earlier in the fourth quarter gave Ohio State a 19-7 lead.
What The Team Said About The Shoulder Injury
Day told reporters Sayin would be out “several weeks” but did not provide a specific diagnosis or a timetable beyond that phrase. No team statement has detailed whether Sayin will need surgery. Day instead turned his comments toward the quarterback who replaced Sayin, true freshman Luke Fahey.
“He’s got confidence, he’s got athletic ability, he’s a competitive kid. I don’t think the moment was too big for him,” Day said of Fahey.
Ohio State also had defensive end Kenyatta Jackson injured in the second half of the same game, according to Cleveland.com, though no additional details on his status were included in Day’s remarks.
Who Replaces Sayin At Quarterback
Fahey, a three-star recruit from Mission Viejo, California, is set to be Ohio State’s starting quarterback during Sayin’s absence. He went 0-for-2 passing in his limited snaps against Indiana after entering in relief. For the season, Fahey has completed 9 of 11 passes for 203 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in spot duty before taking over the starting job.
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who tied former Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards for the most career touchdown receptions in Big Ten history at 39 with his fourth-quarter score, backed Fahey’s readiness for the larger role.
“We wish Julian a speedy recovery. But next man up. Fahey did a great job today,” Smith said.
“I think he did everything in the right way. Handled the pressure very well.”
Sayin’s Season And Career Numbers
Sayin entered Week 7 completing 71% of his passes for 1,772 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2025, finishing fourth in voting during his first year as Ohio State’s starter, when he went 301-of-391 for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 77% of his throws.
Sayin’s accuracy and chemistry with Smith have been central to Ohio State’s offense. Fahey’s limited experience, 11 passes all season before his new starting role, makes the bye week crucial for preparation.
What’s Next For Ohio State
Ohio State now enters its bye week before traveling to face No. 19 USC on Oct. 31. That open date gives the Buckeyes additional time before Fahey makes his first career start, and it could also be when the next update on Sayin’s recovery timeline emerges. No further details on his status had been released as of Saturday night.
See the recap of Ohio State’s 19-15 victory over Indiana for more on how the Buckeyes closed out the win.
Additional information on the injury is available via ESPN and FOX Sports.
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