Dallan Hayden Injury News & Updates

Hayden recorded 11 carries for 76 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 41-7 victory versus Purdue.

Hayden saw his first playing time of the season with Ohio State's top two running backs TreVeyon Henderson (undisclosed) and Miyan Williams (undisclosed) both ruled coming into the game. The true sophomore running back wound up finishing with team highs in rushing attempts and yards, as the Buckeyes' already depleted running back group became even thinner when senior Chip Trayanum was forced out in the first quarter with an undisclosed injury of his own. Hayden was initially previously expected to take a redshirt season in 2023, though he's now appeared in two games this season, and he'll likely need to continue filling in if Henderson, Williams and/or Trayanum are unavailable for the massive Week 8 matchup versus Penn State.

Hayden is expected to redshirt Ohio State's 2023 season, Andy Backstrom of Rivals.com reports.

Ohio State's team does not want Hayden to use a year of eligibility if he is not going to play much. He played three snaps during the opener and has not played since though. Hayden redshirting remains a possibility more than a certainty for now though, and he can still play up to three games before ultimately deciding to follow through on a redshirt.

Hayden logged nine carries for 43 yards during Saturday's 42-41 loss against Georgia.

Hayden served as the primary ball-carrier in the Buckeyes' depleted running back corps Saturday. With junior and typical co-starting running back Miyan Williams limited to just three carries while still working his way back from an undisclosed injury, the freshman had to buoy Ohio State's inefficient rushing attack against the Bulldogs' star-studded defensive front. Nevertheless, Hayden showed promise in his previous significant outings this season, logging three games with at least 100 rushing yards. Hayden finished his first collegiate campaign with 111 carries for 553 yards and five touchdowns, though he'll likely once again find himself in a backup role next season behind Williams and sophomore TreVeyon Henderson, the latter of whom sat out the CFP after undergoing foot surgery.

Hayden recorded two rushes for seven yards during Saturday's 45-23 defeat versus Michigan.

After rushing for a career-high 146 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries last week, Hayden returned to his early-season role as the Buckeyes' third-string running back despite the absence of co-starter TreVeyon Henderson (foot) in this defining rivalry matchup. The true freshman back ultimately slotted in behind DeaMonte Trayanum (14 rushes, 83 yards) and Miyan Williams (eight rushes, 34 yards). While it's unclear why Hayden saw such sparse usage, he figures to once again play a limited role in whatever bowl game the Buckeyes wind up playing in this postseason.

Hayden totaled 27 carries for 146 yards and three touchdowns and gathered in all two targets for 10 yards during Saturday's 43-30 win versus Maryland.

Hayden stepped up big after starting running back TreVeyon Henderson was forced out with a foot injury late in the second quarter Saturday. After logging a previous career-high 19 carries in a blowout win over Indiana Week 11, the true freshman rushed 26 times for 143 yards and three touchdowns in the second half of this comeback win over the Terrapins, as sophomore rusher Miyan Williams also sat out with an undisclosed injury. Hayden has now recorded 100 carries for 503 yards and five touchdowns over the first eight games of his career, and he could once again be asked to serve a huge role if Henderson and Williams are both sidelined in the regular-season finale against Michigan.

Hayden tallied 19 carries for 102 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 56-14 win versus Indiana.

Hayden was called upon to play a bigger role after starting running back Miyan Williams was carted off with an undisclosed injury in the first half. As a result, the true freshman saw his heaviest usage of the season, logging the second touchdown of his career while averaging just over five yards per carry. Hayden has now totaled 73 carries for 357 yards and two receptions (on two targets) for 13 yards over seven games this season. The 5-foot-10 back will likely continue to carry the Buckeyes' rushing load if co-starters TreVeyon Henderson (foot) and Williams, who was later spotted in a walking boot and on crutches, per Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors, remain out against Maryland next week.

Hayden recorded 70 yards on 14 carries during Saturday's 49-20 win over Michigan State.

Hayden once again logged an efficient outing after stepping in as the Buckeyes' primary back during the second half. The freshman previously saw double-digit carries during a similar landslide win over Toledo in Week 3, though he averaged just 3.43 yards per carry across his other three games. Hayden would be next in line to carry Ohio State's rushing duties should top backs Miyan Williams (undisclosed) or TreVeyon Henderson (undisclosed) be forced to sit out during the team's next game against Iowa on Oct. 22.

Hayden recorded 108 yards and one touchdown during Saturday 77-21 win over Toledo.

Hayden made the most of his opportunities after stepping in as the Buckeyes' primary rushing on the team's final offensive series of the first half. The backup running back highlighted his debut performance in the 2022 season with a 45-yard rush as a one-yard carry for a touchdown to put Ohio State up 63-21 early in the fourth quarter. Hayden could stand to see increased usage once again should starting running back TreVeyon Henderson, who exited Saturday's blowout win with an undisclosed injury, continue to sit out heading into the Buckeyes' next game at home versus Wisconsin on Sept. 24.