Ohio State backup QB Brown out several weeks

Last updated: 2023/10/24 at 9:19 PM

BigP Published October 24, 2023

Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior WriterOct 23, 2023, 11:45 PM ET
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- College football reporter.
- Joined ESPN.com in 2008.
- Graduate of Northwestern University.

Ohio State will be without backup quarterback Devin Brown for several weeks after the second-year player sustained a lower-leg injury in Saturday’s win over Penn State.

Coach Ryan Day told 97.1 The Fan radio on Monday night that Brown will miss “at least a couple of weeks” with the injury, which he sustained in the third quarter on a run near the Penn State goal line. Brown, who competed with Kyle McCord for the starting job in the preseason and through the first two games, had to be helped to the sideline. He was seen leaving Ohio Stadium on crutches while wearing a protective boot on his right ankle/foot.

Day said after Saturday’s game that Brown “rolled the ankle” after entering to run Ohio State’s goal-line package. Brown had two carries for five yards against Penn State, after recording eight carries for 20 yards and a touchdown the week before at Purdue.

Tristan Gebbia, an Oregon State transfer who began his career at Nebraska, will serve as McCord’s primary backup while Brown is out. Lincoln Kienholz, a true freshman, also will be in the rotation. Neither player has seen the field for the Buckeyes this season.

“Tristan has really got a great understanding of what we’re trying to do, and Lincoln’s growing every day, I think he’s got a bright future,” Day said. “So if need be, those guys will be ready to go.”

Brown has 197 passing yards with two touchdowns and an interception, and 35 rushing yards on the season.

Day is hopeful Ohio State will regain three starters — running back TreVeyon Henderson, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and cornerback Denzel Burke — from injuries this week when it visits Wisconsin on Saturday night.