Ohio star wide receiver Jackson-Smith Nigba suffered an apparent lower-body injury in the first quarter of Saturday night’s 21-10 win over world No. 5 Notre Dame. Smith-Njigba made a brief comeback after an upset, but did not return after having his helmet removed early in the third quarter.
Smith-Njigba caught a 4-yard pass midway through the first quarter and was awkwardly tackled by a Notre Dame defender. He then spent some time on the stationary bike running along the sidelines to test his legs, with Emeka Egbuka eventually substituting for his Smith-Njigba in slots and punt returns.
Buckeyes coach Ryan Day told reporters that he and junior receiver Julian Fleming are hoping to get Smith Niziba back this week.
Junior from Rockwall, Texas, Smith Nigba is arguably the nation’s top returning receiver after setting Ohio records for 1,606 receiving yards, 95 catches and nine touchdowns in his breakout season. Ranked inhe was unanimously elected CBS Sports Preseason All-America Drafted 6th overall by the Chicago Bears in Ryan Wilson’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
No other receiver had more than 200 receiving yards last season. Egbuka had 90 receiving yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s win, while Marvin Harrison Jr. scored three touchdowns in the Rose Bowl. Running back Trevillon Henderson said that in 2021 he had 312 receiving yards and his four points, but after averaging 380.9 yards passing per game in 2021, the offense was his fighting. finished with just 223 yards passing against the Irish.
