Henderson traveled with the team on Sunday and has been with the Buckeyes for all of their team activities since, even though many of Ohio State’s injured players weren’t expected to arrive in Atlanta until Thursday. Henderson walks around in a walking boot with his surgically repaired foot using a hands-free crutch.

Henderson wouldn’t be content to merely watch the Buckeyes practice if it were up to him. Henderson played with an injury for the majority of the season after suffering his first injury in Ohio State’s third game of the year against Toledo. But because of his lingering injury, he was only able to participate in five of Ohio State’s final nine regular-season games.

Henderson made a comeback to start for Ohio State against Maryland after missing the team’s ninth and tenth games of the season against Northwestern and Indiana. Despite appearing hindered by his injury in the first half of the game, he played just one snap in the second half, which turned out to be his last snap of the season.

Henderson declared on December that he would not be playing in the regular-season finale against Michigan. 13 In order to fix a fracture and torn ligament in his left foot, he would have season-ending surgery.

During the Peach Bowl media day on Thursday, he stated that his injury had become too excruciating for him to play this year.

INJURY BECAME TOO PAINFUL TO PLAY IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF, BUT HE’S TRYING TO BE A TEAM LEADER FROM SIDELINES

“For this game, I tried to make a comeback. We’d made a solid plan. I was attempting, as I had been doing all season, to let my body heal itself once more. But ultimately, for example, with my foot, everything was going well at first, and then—I’m not sure what happened—that pain just returned, according to Henderson. “I wasn’t even operating at maximum speed. It felt like I had only been jogging for a few days when the pain returned. I then made the decision that I would simply need to have this thing surgically repaired. “”.

After rushing for 1,255 yards and 15 touchdowns on 184 attempts (6 point82 yards per carry) as a true freshman, Henderson’s performance was obviously hindered by his health this season as he only managed 571 yards and six touchdowns on 107 carries (5 point34 yards per carry). In 2022, he only had five plays of 20 yards or more from scrimmage, as opposed to 17 in 2021.

Henderson claimed that having to play with a sense of diminished performance was difficult. But he didn’t want to let his teammates down, so he battled through his injury as best he could.

Henderson remarked, “I was attempting to act in my brothers’ best interests.”. “Man, I was trying to practice and play for my brothers, and I was trying to give it my all.”. QB C was among Henderson’s teammates who appreciated his efforts. A. J. When asked about Henderson and injured teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba missing the CFP because of their injuries, Stroud fiercely defended both players. Naturally, I’d like to see Trey and Jaxon, as well as other active players. To be honest, it’s awful. They put in a lot of work, and I feel awful for them. Furthermore, Stroud stated on December that “the things that people are saying to them are crazy, man.”. 14. The worst aspect of this game is when people try to make fun of Jaxon, Trey, or anybody else who is injured. It’s unfair. Henderson thanked Stroud for always having his back.

“Dude, that’s my brother.”. He stands up for us every time. I wish more people had C’s attitude. A. J. Henderson remarked. “Dude, it’s awful that he even had to do that. That Jaxon and I even had to get to that point is a sad thing. Many people who are not inside the building are unaware of the struggles we face. And it will shock them if they knew they would be like that. Like, they would definitely be shocked to learn about Jaxon’s story and what transpired. Henderson, though, will be Henderson’s supporter this week as he backs his teammates from the sidelines. Even though he won’t be able to play a significant role on the field, he wants to lead the team as they get ready to enter the national championship game as an upperclassman the following season.

Henderson emphasized the importance of being with the team this week. “Because I’ve just been focusing on my leadership role throughout the entire season.”. This is where it finally comes into play. Despite my current injury, I can only support and guide my teammates to the best of my ability. “.

Among the three running backs who could see CFP carries in Henderson’s place are Dallan Hayden, Miami Williams, and Chip Trayanum. Hayden expressed that it “means a lot” that Henderson is a consistent presence in the locker room despite his injury. Hayden remarked, “He’s like our leader of the room.”. Similar to another coach, sort of. He has been fantastic. “.