Star Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate was held out of Saturday’s game against Purdue for precautionary reasons after experiencing muscle tightness during pregame warmups, head coach Ryan Day confirmed.
The junior, who entered the game as the team’s second-leading receiver and a vital deep threat, did not take a snap against the Boilermakers despite being dressed and on the sideline. His absence was noticeable, especially as he was not listed on the team’s pregame availability report, suggesting the issue arose just before kickoff.
Day addressed Tate’s status during his halftime interview, officially ruling the wideout out for the remainder of the contest.
“He’s not gonna play. We’re gonna hold him,” Day told the Big Ten Network broadcast. “It was kind of a thing before the game—we just didn’t feel comfortable putting him out there, so you won’t see him in the second half.”
The decision underscores a cautious approach from the No. 1 ranked Buckeyes as they enter the crucial final stretch of the season. With Ohio State a heavy favorite against the 2-7 Boilermakers, the coaching staff opted to preserve the health of the potential first-round NFL draft pick rather than risk aggravating the tightness.
Tate has been a major component of the Buckeyes’ offense this season, racking up 711 receiving yards and seven touchdowns through the first eight games. While his teammates, including standout Jeremiah Smith (10 catches for 137 yards), picked up the slack in his absence during the team’s victory, Ohio State will be relying on Tate’s explosiveness for upcoming matchups.
The nature of the injury—described simply as “tightness”—suggests the issue is minor, and the decision to hold him out was purely preventative. Ohio State expects to have Tate available for its next game.
