Is Jaxon Smith-Njigba playing vs. Michigan? The latest news on Ohio State WR’s status for the rivalry game

The connection between C.J. Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, both of whom are projected to be first-round picks in the NFL draft, was the topic of conversation regarding the Ohio State offense as the college football season of 2022 was about to begin.

Stroud, who was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2021, had just completed a season in which he threw for 4,435 yards, completed 71.9 percent of his passes, and threw 44 touchdown passes while only throwing six interceptions. Smith-Njigba, who was the team’s No. 3 receiver and came in behind two players who were selected in the first round of the 2021 draft (Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave), established new program records for receiving yards and receptions with 1,606 and 95, respectively. Nine of those catches resulted in touchdowns for the team.

This year, however, the connection between Stroud and an intriguing receiver has been with Marvin Harrison Jr., who has established himself as one of the top collegiate receivers in the country, if not the best. Harrison is currently in the lead for the Ohio State Buckeyes with 65 receptions, 1,037 yards, and 11 receiving touchdowns heading into their game against Michigan.

On the other hand, Smith-Njigba has been hampered by an injury ever since the very first week of the current season. It stands to reason that if Smith-Njigba is able to participate in the game, this would only serve to strengthen what has been the most dangerous passing attack in the country.

Will Smith-Njigba be in the lineup for the game against Michigan? This is the most recent update regarding his condition.

The most recent information and update on Jaxon Smith-injury Njigba’s status
Smith-Njigba will be unable to play for the Buckeyes against the Wolverines, according to an announcement made by Ohio State on Saturday morning.

Before Ohio State’s game against Maryland in Week 11, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day sounded less than optimistic about Smith-chances Njigba’s of returning to the field this season. Smith-Njigba has been sidelined due to an injury.

“”I wouldn’t say expecting, I’d probably say more hoping [he returns in 2022],” Day reportedly said before the game, according to Eleven Warriors. “I wouldn’t say expecting, but I’d probably say more hoping.” “However, there is no new information at this time.”

In an interview with The Columbus Dispatch, the father of the star receiver, Maada Smith-Njigba, stated that his son believed it would be in their best interest for him to compete against the Wolverines once more. In that case, the Buckeyes are most likely going to the Fiesta Bowl, which is the bowl game that will serve as their College Football Playoff destination.

Maada Smith-Njigba predicted that the next time Jaxon wore the scarlet and gray uniform, he would perform at a level that was 110 percent. I have no idea whether that will be against the team from up north or in the Fiesta Bowl.”

After catching two passes for a total of three yards during the Buckeyes’ season-opening game against Notre Dame, Smith-Njiba suffered an injury to his hamstring. The injury occurred in the first quarter of the game. Two weeks later, he played against Toledo and caught two passes for 33 yards. Four games later, he played against Iowa and caught two passes for 33 yards.

WR depth chart for the Ohio State Buckeyes
It’s almost as if it’s not fair that Ohio State has as much depth at wide receiver as they do. It resulted in the loss of a potential first-round draft pick in the NFL; however, Harrison, Emeka Egbuka, and Julian Fleming have all had breakout seasons at wide receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Due to Smith-injury, Njigba’s Egbuka has taken over as the primary slot receiver for the team. He currently ranks second on the squad with 57 receptions, 914 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. Fleming, who has played in the wide receiver position, is second on the team in both total yards (415) and touchdowns (6) while also having the third-most receptions (24).

In the event that the team sustains any additional injuries at receiver, it still has a decent amount of depth to draw from. Both Jayden Ballard and Xavier Johnson have contributed significantly to the success of the team, with Johnson playing the majority of his snaps in the slot position, which was Smith-Njigba’s primary position in 2021.

Other wide receivers who have caught at least one pass this season include freshmen Kaleb Brown (one reception for five yards), Reis Stocksdale (one reception for 12 yards), and Kyion Grayes, who is a redshirt freshman senior. Kamryn Babb caught one pass for eight yards and scored a touchdown.