Pete Thamel: Purdue RB Tyrone Tracy out against Ohio State on Saturday, Hudson Card significantly healthier

Purdue has a difficult game on Saturday, welcoming Ohio State to town for in the early slate during Week 7.

The Boilermakers have struggled in 2023, and it’s not going to get any easier against the Buckeyes. Unfortunately, another wrench was thrown in their path on Saturday morning, as ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Purdue’s tailback Tyrone Tracy will miss the game against Ohio State.

“Source: Purdue tailback Tyrone Tracy is out against Ohio State today,” tweeted Thamel. “He’s averaging 5.9 yards per carry and has five touchdowns this year.

“Also, quarterback Hudson Card has shown significant improvement after playing in pain against Iowa last week.”

At least Thamel ended his update with some solid news, as Purdue quarterback Hudson Card is feeling healthier ahead of the game. Nevertheless, missing Tracy — who Thamel mentioned has accumulated 5.9 yards per carry and five touchdowns on the season — is less than ideal.

Regardless, Purdue will fight again the Buckeyes, but it’s not going to be easy. We’ll see if the Boilermakers can pull off a massive upset on Saturday afternoon, shorthanded at that.

Emeka Egbuka did not travel with Ohio State to Purdue, will sit out Week 7 matchup

On the other side of the field, Ohio State will be without wide receiver Emeka Egbuka this week against Purdue, Buckeyes coach Ryan Day told reporters Friday night. He didn’t make the trip to West Lafayette with the Buckeyes and, as a result, has been ruled out.

“Emeka won’t be able to make it tomorrow,” Day said. “We’ll put the injury report out, but he didn’t make the trip.”

As for who could step up in Egbuka’s place, Day said Ohio State has enough depth at wide receiver to fill his shoes as the receiver opposite Marvin Harrison Jr.

“We’ve got plenty of guys in there that’ll do a great job,” Day said. “We’ve been practicing that ways this week. So we’ve got some really good guys to step in for him.” 

Egbuka went down with an injury in last week’s game against Maryland and didn’t return. Afterward, Day didn’t sound too concerned about his status going forward, but he’ll now sit out the Week 7 matchup against Purdue.

Egbuka is one half of Ohio State’s two-headed monster at wide receiver alongside Harrison This year, he sits third on the roster with 303 receiving yards and three touchdowns to help Ohio State get off to a perfect 5-0 start to the season.

Egbuka’s absence could be an opportunity for other younger receivers to step up. Julian Fleming ranks behind him with 15 catches for 153 receiving yards, and freshman standout Carnell Tate has added 83 yards and a touchdown on five receptions so far this season. The Buckeyes also have a talented pass-catcher at tight end in Cade Stover, who’s second on the roster with 306 yards and a touchdown this season.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this article.