Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba sits out several series after big hit
Ohio State star junior wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba left the game against Notre Dame on Saturday night after taking a massive blow along the sideline. Smith-Njigba has been on his sideline without his helmet for Ohio State’s last two offensive series in the second quarter.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel noted that Smith-Njigba was without his helmet on the sideline after the hit caused it to fly off. His ESPN colleague Holly Rowe, the sideline reporter in Columbus, said on the broadcast that Smith-Njigba sustained a lower body injury from the hit.
With Smith-Njigba out, Ohio State’s offense has struggled and the Irish took a 10-7 lead. He is considered one of the nation’s best receivers and Ohio State’s most dynamic offensive playmaker. Ohio State will need to lean on Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming at wideout with Smith-Njigba sidelined for the time being
Smith-Njigba has been ruled out for the rest of the game
The Buckeyes received tough news for the second half of their game against Notre Dame, as Jaxon Smith-Njigba was ruled out. The star junior wideout left the game after taking a big hit along the sideline, and remained on the sideline without his helmet on for the final two offensive series of the half.
As the Buckeyes took the field for the first time on offense in the second half, Smith-Njigba was not on the field with the team — leading to a painful update from the broadcast team for Buckeyes fans.
“Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the most powerful weapon they have, has spent a long time in the injury tent,” expained ESPN’s Holly Rowe. “He just came out and he’s visibly upset. He’s got a towel around his shoulders, no helmet, it looks like his day could be done. And he is very upset right now guys, that he can’t be out there after all the work they put in to go into this opening game.”