Sanchez Injured Against Oregon, Kelly Replaces Him
Ohio State starting cornerback Devin Sanchez left the Oregon game with a right leg injury and was replaced by Dominick Kelly.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Basketball
Ohio State starting cornerback Devin Sanchez was injured in the second quarter of the Buckeyes' matchup with Oregon after landing awkwardly on his right leg during punt coverage. He was carted to the locker room and Dominick Kelly replaced him in the lineup.
Why it matters
Sanchez had stepped into a starting role this season opposite Jermaine Mathews, so his absence changes the Ohio State secondary depth chart. The injury's severity has not been disclosed in the available details.
Sanchez logged 323 defensive snaps last season as a backup and recorded 29 tackles across seven games this season before the Oregon game, adding one more tackle against Oregon. The injury's length and whether he will miss additional games has not been determined.
The players
Devin Sanchez
A sophomore cornerback and former five-star prospect who had stepped into a starting role for Ohio State this season.
Dominick Kelly
An Ohio State defensive back who replaced Sanchez in the lineup after the injury.
The details
Sanchez was running down the field in punt coverage when he slowed and landed awkwardly on his right leg in the second quarter. Ohio State trainers helped him walk to the injury tent before he was carted to the locker room, and Dominick Kelly took over his spot in the lineup.
Timeline
Sanchez was a five-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.
Last season, Sanchez played 323 defensive snaps as the third cornerback.
Sanchez was injured in the second quarter of the Oregon game on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Sanchez's rise from third cornerback to starter this season was a key development in Ohio State's secondary, and his injury tests the depth behind him. The outcome will shape how the Buckeyes manage cornerback rotations for the remainder of the season.
Sanchez's injury means Dominick Kelly is now the Buckeyes' cornerback option opposite Jermaine Mathews in the lineup. Fantasy and depth-chart watchers should track how the coaching staff handles the secondary rotation in coming games.
The takeaway
Depth at cornerback becomes a real test for Ohio State when a starter goes down mid-game. Readers should watch how the rotation settles over the next few contests.
Further reading
For more on Ohio State's sports coverage, see Basketball in Columbus.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cleveland.
