Sports

Buckeyes expect Henderson to return vs. Purdue

Buckeyes expect Henderson to return vs. Purdue

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

  • 1 Related

    The No. 3 Buckeyes (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) have struggled to establish the run game behind three new starters on the offensive line. They are averaging just 131.6 yards per game on the ground, ninth in the Big Ten.

    Henderson’s return should provide a boost for an offense still trying to consistently create space for ball-carriers.

    Chip Trayanum was the main back in Henderson’s absence against Maryland. He got the ball 20 times for 61 yards, an average of 3.1 per carry.

    Henderson has 295 rushing yards in four games, an average of 6.7 per carry, and two touchdowns.

    Egbuka left the Maryland game with an apparent knee injury in the fourth quarter Saturday and didn’t return. The injury isn’t expected to keep Egbuka sidelined for a long stretch, Day said Tuesday.

    “One thing I can tell you is that’s it’s not going to be a long-term issue,” Day said. “We’ll probably have a better idea how he’s doing later in the week.”

    Egbuka, a 1,000-yard receiver last year, has 22 catches for 303 yards and three touchdowns. Marvin Harrison Jr. is Ohio State’s leading receiver with 25 catches for 499 yards and four TDs.

    Ohio State plays Purdue (2-4, 1-2) Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium before returning home on Oct. 21 to face No. 6 Penn State.