Urban Meyer calls for investigation, says J.T. Barrett injured by 'guy with a camera'
Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett was apparently injured before Saturday’s game against Michigan, and coach Urban Meyer is not happy about it.
After the Buckeyes emerged with a 31-20 win in Ann Arbor, Meyer said Barrett got “hit” on the sideline with “a guy with a camera” just before the game began.
“I’m just so upset with myself. There was a non-football injury,” Meyer said. “Too many damn people on the sideline and a guy with a camera hit him in the knee. I’m going to find out who. I’m so angry right now.”
Meyer said after Barrett was bumped, the quarterback’s knee “locked up.” Barrett — “one of the toughest guys” Meyer has ever been around — was worked on and “they got it to unlock” before it “locked up again” toward the end of a third-quarter scramble.
Meyer, who called for an “all-out investigation” into the ordeal, said OSU was “worried” Barrett wasn’t going to be able to play at all.
“They told me right before the opening kickoff and I look on the sideline and he’s down and I’m like, ‘What happened?’” Meyer said. “And [Barrett] is so tough he went out there and played and obviously we didn’t do very well. And then we got going.”
After the game, Barrett demonstrated what happened for reporters and said he does not believe it was intentional.
#OhioState QB J.T. Barrett takes us through how he injured his knee pregame after a cameraman made contact with him. #GoBucks @ABC22FOX45 pic.twitter.com/MVqW1uBs91
— Erik Elken (@ErikFOX45Now) November 25, 2017
J.T. Barrett on collision with camera: “Someone tried to squeeze through … and he hit me. And my knee shifted in.”
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 25, 2017
Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel added further context:
Barrett told media someone darted past him and collided with his leg and hurt his knee. Barrett didn't think it was malicious. He didn't see a camera. But eye witnesses said it was a "cameraman," hence Meyer's remarks. No one certain if still photographer or TV.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 25, 2017
There's no formal investigation, but Ohio State is looking into how it happened. Spokesman stressed they take sideline management very seriously. Are limited with access there.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 25, 2017
Barrett, who exited the game with OSU down 20-14, needed help getting off the field and did not return. Backup Dwayne Haskins came in and led the Buckeyes to a comeback victory.
Meyer was unsure of Barrett’s status heading into the Big Ten title game against Wisconsin next weekend. Barrett says he will return.
J.T. Barrett said he does believe he will be able to play next week.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 25, 2017
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
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