Miyan Williams injury adds to Ohio State football's concerns at running back

The depth in Ohio State’s backfield grew more precarious on Saturday afternoon.

Miyan Williams landed awkwardly on his right foot following a run late in the second quarter quarter of a 56-14 win over Indiana and didn't return to the game.

After he went down, trainers assisted him off the field before he was carted to the locker room. He was unable to put any weight on his leg when he headed to the sideline.

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As one of only two scholarship running backs available, Williams got a bulk of the carries over the first and second quarters, rushing for 147 yards and one touchdown on 15 rush attempts. His burst into the end zone came after he broke loose for a 48-yard run early in the second quarter.

But his second straight 100-yard rushing game was mired by the injury and the potential ramifications on a group of already banged-up backs.

TreVeyon Henderson, who aggravated a foot injury in a comeback win at Penn State on Oct. 29, was out and wore a walking boot on his left foot while watching the game from the sideline. He first injured his foot against Toledo on Sept. 17.

Chip Trayanum was also unavailable with an unspecified issue. Trayanum, who moved from running back to linebacker when he transferred from Arizona State to Ohio State this past winter, returned to the offensive side of the ball last month after T.C. Caffey, the top walk-on back, suffered a season-ending injury.

The only Buckeyes scholarship running back available against the Hoosiers following Williams’ injury was freshman Dallan Hayden.

As Williams returned from the locker room to watch the second half, he was walking on crutches with his right foot in a boot.

The timetable for all of their returns remained a bit up in the air. While coach Ryan Day said he is hopeful that Henderson would be back for next weekend’s game at Maryland, he was not as firm on a potential date for Williams.

“It didn’t look like, based on what we saw in the locker room, that it was going to be something really long-term,” Day said, “so we’ll see how he feels overnight.”

Picking up a bulk of the carries in the second half, Hayden would finish with 102 yards and a touchdown.

Xavier Johnson, a wide receiver, also lined up in the backfield, catching a swing pass that went for 34 yards in the first quarter and breaking away on a 71-yard run in the fourth quarter in which he crisscrossed the field to reach the end zone.

“Both of those guys showed they can do a good job,” Day said. “It’s pretty remarkable we have that many guys who are capable. Whether it’s Tre, Miyan or Chip, we’re hoping to get these guys back as soon as we can. It’s been frustrating obviously not having a full-strength room, but the positive spin is the depth has shown, and we’ve been able to keep that going.”

Right tackle switch

Josh Fryar started at right tackle in place of Dawand Jones, who was held out with an undisclosed injury.

The Buckeyes listed Jones as a game-time decision on their pregame availability report, but he went through all of warmups and was in uniform at kickoff.

“He was close,” Day said. “Just didn’t feel like he could do it. It was a tough call. These are tough decisions.”

It was the first shakeup to Ohio State’s starting offensive line, a group that has remained intact throughout the season.

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Fryar showed little drop-off as he helped jumpstart the Buckeyes’ scoring onslaught in the first quarter, opening up a hole for Williams on a 32-yard run.

The gain positioned them on the edge of the red zone and set up the first of three touchdowns in the opening frame.

Day said the Buckeyes were confident relying on Fryar, who had a “good week of practice” ahead of Saturday.

“I’ll have to see the film, I don’t think it was perfect,” Day said, “but I feel like he played well. If you don’t notice a tackle, that’s usually pretty good.”

Cornerback situation

The Buckeyes had a new pairing of starting cornerbacks against Indiana.

While Cameron Brown regained his starting spot following his return to the lineup for the first time in a month, Jordan Hancock started at the opposite spot.

Hancock replaced Denzel Burke, who did not make an appearance after starting in previous weeks with JK Johnson before being pulled out of warmups.

Day praised Brown, who gave up an early touchdown to tight end AJ Barner while covering him on a fade route in the end zone, but bounced back. Brown broke up two passes later on.

“It didn't bother him,” Day said. “He kept playing and competing. I thought that was great to see.”

He also commended Hancock, who missed the first six games with a hamstring injury before returning for the second half of the season and making his first career start against the Hoosiers.

“I don’t know what he’ll grade out,” Day said, “but you notice him in practice, you notice his competitiveness.”

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Contact him at jkaufman@dispatch.com or on Twitter @joeyrkaufman

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Miyan Williams injury adds to Ohio State concerns at running back