Jaxon Smith-Njigba Sep 3, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) runs on the sideline after taking a hard hit during the NCAA football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State Buckeyes star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba entered the 2022 college football season as arguably the top returning receiver in the country, but so far this season, he hasn’t had the chance to showcase his talent.

Smith-Njigba was injured during the first series of Ohio State’s season-opening win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and has been limited ever since. But according to Buckeye head coach Ryan Day, the star receiver’s return to the field is “not as far away as we think,” even if he doesn’t have a formal timeline for his return.

“We’re not gonna put any timetable on it,” Day said, according to Griffin Strom of Eleven Warriors. “I know he’s frustrated, but we’re not as far away as we think.”

Smith-Njigba suffered a leg injury after taking a big hit on the sideline during Ohio State’s season-opening win over the Fighting Irish. After missing the team’s next game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves, Smith-Njigba returned during Ohio State’s lopsided win over the Toledo Rockets the following week but reinjured his leg and missed last week’s win over the Wisconsin Badgers.

Whenever Smith-Njigba does return for the Buckeyes, it will give the most dominant offense in the country yet another explosive weapon.

[Griffin Strom]