The Ohio State Buckeyes’ 2026 season took a real hit a couple of weeks ago when quarterback Julian Sayin went down with an injury. There’s no doubt the injury cast a shadow over the Buckeyes when it happened.

Since Sayin’s injury, Ohio State has picked up a loss to USC. The Buckeyes are relying on freshman quarterback Luke Fahey to guide them the rest of the way. They hope that means four straight wins to close the regular season and another berth in the College Football Playoff.

Julian Sayin had surgery to repair a fractured right elbow

Former Columbus Dispatch reporter Bill Rabinowitz reported that Sayin had surgery nearly two weeks ago to repair a fractured right elbow. According to the report, the procedure also involved inserting plates and screws.

That kind of surgery isn’t going to allow Sayin to play again this season. However, the bigger story might be what comes after this season. Day gave an update this week on where Sayin stands, and if you read into it a bit, his comments might suggest Sayin could be back in Columbus next year.

“All things considered, the outcome with different options that we were kind of going into the situation thinking it could be, I think this has been a decent outcome for us and for him,” Day stated on Thursday. “So we’ll let him kind of go through that. But this thing looks to be healing. It’s not gonna be next week or next month. It’s gonna take some time, but I think certainly for the long term, we feel like we’re on a good track here.”

If Day is talking about the long term, that has to mean after this season. At that point, Sayin would have to decide whether to return to Columbus for his senior season instead of playing elsewhere. A much less likely option is leaving for the NFL. If Sayin were going to transfer, he’d need to make the decision in early January when the window opens. 

Sayin was on pace for a bigger season before the injury

In seven games for the Buckeyes in 2026, Sayin threw for 2,007 yards, 19 touchdown passes, and four interceptions. He also added a pair of rushing touchdowns.

Those numbers had a good chance of topping what he did last season. Sayin finished last year with 3,610 passing yards, 32 touchdown passes, and eight interceptions. He didn’t record a rushing touchdown in that campaign, so he had already shown more as a runner this go-around.

Still, the production doesn’t tell the whole story. Sayin hasn’t been good enough in big games for Ohio State over the last couple of seasons. That leaves many wondering if the Buckeyes can take the risk of bringing him back coming off a serious injury like this one.

Ohio State has to win now with Fahey under center, and that’s the immediate priority. Every game down the stretch matters for the Buckeyes’ playoff hopes, and the freshman will get a full test in the process.

On the flip side, the Sayin decision is going to loom over the program once the season wraps up. Day’s comments point to a return at least being on the table. He’s talking about the surgery healing well for the long term, and he framed that as good news for both Sayin and the team.

Whether that turns into Sayin taking the field for Ohio State in 2027 remains to be seen. For now, the door is open, and the coming months will show which direction both sides decide to go.