Ryan Day addresses pitch count for Jaxon Smith-Njigba in Week 8 win

Ryan Day didn’t have too much to be concerned about as the Buckeyes trounced Iowa 54-10 on Saturday.

Perhaps the biggest worry for the Buckeyes was when WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba exited the game. Last season, Smith-Njigba was a top receiver for Ohio State with 1,606 yards and 9 touchdowns. But, Smith-Njigba suffered a hamstring injury in the season opener that has kept him on the sideline, and his appearances have been limited this season.

It appeared Smith-Njigba might have reinjured himself against Iowa, as he seemed to slow during one play. But, according to Day, there’s no need to be concerned, as Smith-Njigba’s absence in the second half was planned.

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After the game, Day stated that the WR was on a “pitch count” and had been taken out after he completed the set number of 20 plays. Day also appeared to downplay any aggravation to Smith-Njigba’s hamstring injury.

Ryan Day on JSN leaving the game after appearing to tweak his injury: "He was on a pitch count today and then once he got to a certain number, we shut him down."

— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) October 22, 2022

Ryan Day said Jaxon Smith-Njigba was on a pitch count of about 20 plays. Seems to downplay any aggravation of his hamstring injury.

— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) October 22, 2022

For now, it looks like Smith-Njigba should be back in action next week as the Buckeyes take on No. 16 Penn State.