COLUMBUS — Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin is out indefinitely, with his return during the regular season now considered doubtful. The Buckeyes are also preparing for the possibility that their starting quarterback could miss the College Football Playoff.
Head coach Ryan Day delivered the news Tuesday evening, providing the clearest indication yet that Sayin's injury could end his 2026 season.
Ohio Sports Hub was the first to report that Julian Sayin was expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season.
Our exclusive report, published Monday, October 19, at 12:33 p.m. ET, revealed that Sayin was expected to miss the remainder of the season more than a day before Ohio State publicly acknowledged that possibility.
At the time, Day had indicated that Sayin would miss several weeks after injuring his throwing arm during Saturday's 19-15 victory over Indiana. He said further medical evaluations were continuing but did not provide a long-term prognosis.
Ohio Sports Hub's report cited information received through a confidential source indicating that Sayin's season was expected to be over. We made clear that Ohio State had not confirmed Sayin's injury staus, but reported what our source had told us.
Ryan Day's comments on Tuesday support our original reporting.
Day Prepares for a Lengthy Absence
Day told reporters Tuesday that Sayin is out indefinitely and declined to establish a specific timetable for his return.
The coach described a return during the regular season as doubtful. He also explained that Ohio State is preparing for the possibility of playing without Sayin during both the remaining regular-season games and a potential postseason run.
That's a far different outlook from Saturday, when Day initially said Sayin would probably miss several weeks.
Ohio State has not officially declared Sayin's season over, and a return remains possible. But the Buckeyes are now planning for the possibility that he won't play again this year.
For a team still competing for the Big Ten championship and a place in the College Football Playoff, that's a major development. And a huge blow.
Luke Fahey Steps Into the Starting Role, Maybe
With Sayin sidelined, true freshman Luke Fahey is in line to start when Ohio State returns from its bye week against USC on October 31, though Day did say that both he and sophomore signal-caller Tavien St. Clair will get reps this week.
Fahey replaced Sayin against Indiana, completing neither of his two passing attempts. He had already earned the backup quarterback position during preseason camp, moving ahead of sophomore Tavien St. Clair.
Day and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will have the bye week to prepare an offense that will look different with Fahey, or St. Clair, at quarterback.
Sayin threw for 2,007 yards and 19 touchdowns through Ohio State's first seven games. Replacing that production will be difficult, particularly with USC, Oregon, and Michigan still on the schedule.
The Buckeyes still have Jeremiah Smith and a defense that has demonstrated its ability to win difficult games. But the offense will need to adjust quickly if Sayin is unable to return.
What's Next
Ohio State has a bye this Saturday before traveling to USC on October 31. The Buckeyes return home to face Oregon on November 7.
