Emeka Egbuka's return from injury took more than just rest. It required surgery on his ankle, something that previously wasn't reported.
While speaking to reporters in Arlington prior to the Cotton Bowl Classic Kickoff, the Ohio State receiver revealed he underwent "tightrope surgery," a procedure on his left ankle after suffering the injury in a win over Maryland back in October.
Egbuka missed three regular season games, including the 20-12 win over No. 10 Penn State at Ohio Stadium.
“I thought it was pretty neat that you could do that,” Egbuka said.
The surgery is meant to treat high ankle sprains at an increasing rate. A device is placed on the lower fibula and tibia bones to speed up the process.
Egbuka isn't the only mainstream player to undergo tightrope surgery this season. Georgia tight end and two-time John Mackey Award winner Brock Bowers had the same procedure done this fall his ankle following an injury suffered against Vanderbilt.
Expected to be one of the nation's top pass-catchers, Egbuka's production was limited opposite Marvin Harrison Jr. In nine games, the 6-foot receiver caught 35 passes for 452 yards and four touchdowns.
Last season, Egbuka was perhaps the nation's top No. 2 receiver, totaling 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns. With another year of eligibility, Egubuka could return to Columbus for his senior season in hopes of leading the Buckeyes back to the national championship for the first time since 2020.
Harrison, a two-time consensus All-American and Biletnikoff Award winner, has not practiced leading into Friday's matchup in Arlington. While he's yet to make an official announcement, the 6-4 junior is likely to opt out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft.
Should Harrison be sidelined, expect Egbuka to become the top target for Devin Brown against No. 9 Missouri. Julian Fleming recently entered the transfer portal, leaving the Buckeyes to turn to senior Xavier Johnson and freshman Carnell Tate.
Kickoff from AT&T Stadium is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
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