BYU running back LJ Martin is out for Friday’s game against Iowa State with a lower-body injury, according to the Big 12 availability report. Martin, the reigning 2025 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, went down in the first half of BYU’s game against TCU and did not return.
The injury strips the No. 8 Cougars of their top offensive weapon for a conference matchup. Martin has rushed for 344 yards and three touchdowns this season, averaging 7.8 yards per carry, numbers that rank among the best in the Big 12.
What The Team Said About The LJ Martin Injury
BYU has not disclosed specifics beyond listing Martin as out for the Iowa State game. Coach Kalani Sitake acknowledged the difficulty of the situation after BYU already lost backup running back Sione Moa to a knee injury in the season opener.
“It’s not ideal going into games with having your first and second running back be out,” Sitake said, according to CBS Sports. “But we feel like we’ve narrowed the gap quite a bit from one to two to three, and then we have a committee of guys who can do it.”
Defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga said the team hopes to get Glasker back “in the next week or two,” per ESPN. No return timeline has been announced for Martin.
Who Replaces Martin In BYU’s Backfield
Preston Rex is expected to serve as the primary ball carrier in Martin’s absence, according to CBS Sports. Rex has carried the ball 18 times for 94 yards this season.
Journee Tonga and Devaughn Elka will also factor into a backfield committee behind Rex. Tonga has rushed for 157 yards on 19 carries this season and is averaging 8.3 yards per carry for his BYU career, according to Sports Illustrated. Elka has added 87 yards on 12 carries.
When Martin was unavailable last season, quarterback Bear Bachmeier took on a larger role in the passing game, with two of his best outings coming against Iowa State and Georgia Tech, per Sports Illustrated.
Martin’s Role And Season Context
Martin’s absence removes a player running back Preston Rex called the conference’s top back. “LJ is the best back in the Big 12, so it’s gonna hurt any team when someone like that goes down,” Rex told reporters, according to CBS Sports.
Martin earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2025 after rushing for 1,305 yards and 12 scores. He has 344 rushing yards and three touchdowns this season with a 7.8-yard average.
What’s Next For BYU
BYU hosts Iowa State on Friday without Martin in the backfield. The Cougars then turn to a matchup against Notre Dame the following week, a game Sports Illustrated reported BYU hopes Martin can play in, though his status has not been confirmed. Updates on his recovery are expected as BYU approaches that game.
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