Ohio State coach Ryan Day said Monday he expects quarterback Justin Fields to play in the national game against Alabama next Monday night.
Fields hit him late in the first half against Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, but he stayed in the game. Fields then said he took an injection to keep playing, but he was in pain every time he threw. He said he did not have a diagnosis for the exact nature of the injury.
On a Zoom call Monday, Day would not disclose the details of the injury, but said the state of Ohio will practice as usual, and that Fields is expected to play in Miami on Monday night.
“Justin is such a competitive man, he’s not going to come off the field,” Day said. “It’s just the way he’s wired. It was a pretty incredible performance. The next day his remark to me was that he felt better waking up in the morning than he expected. We’ll be working through the week and have a great week preparing and getting ready to play on Monday night. “
Fields set a Sugar Bowl record of six attacks in the 49-28 victory over the Tigers and passed 385 yards.