MIAMI GARDENS, Florida – Ohio state running back Trey Sermon was taken to a local hospital for further diagnosis after suffering an apparent left collarbone injury in the Buckeyes’ first attempt at the College Football Playoff National Championship presented by AT&T against the Alabama on Monday night.
Sermon was injured in his only load, which was 2 yards on the first descent. When he reached the sideline, he seemed to favor his left shoulder.
Upon being taken to the locker room, Sermon’s left arm swung loosely at his side. ESPN’s Maria Taylor reported that Sermon was gripping the left collarbone area and was unable to raise his hand. He did an X-ray and was taken to Broward General Hospital, Taylor reported.
Sermon has been the main key to the Buckeyes’ attack in the last two games, running for 524 yards in Northwestern wins in the Big Ten and Clemson championship game in the CFP semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Master Teague, who lost last week’s game against the Tigers, replaced Sermon on the running back and promptly scored in an 8-yard run when the Buckeyes tied for 7.
Taylor reported that Ohio state running back coach Tony Alford went to Teague and said, “Hey, Trey is out. We have to win this game for him now.”
Ohio State left winger Wyatt Davis was also helped off the field in the second quarter with an apparent knee injury, another blow to the Buckeyes’ attack.
Davis, one of the best offensive line players in the state of Ohio and All-American, is ranked as the second available guard for the NFL draft.