An injury incurred last season continues to bleed into and affect the 2018 season for one member of the Ohio State football program.
Last October in a win over Maryland, Branden Bowen broke both the fibula and tibia in his left leg and was sidelined for the remainder of the 2018 season. The offensive lineman didn’t participate in spring practice as he continued his recovery, but was still hampered throughout summer camp by the lingering effects of the injury.
After missing the season-opening blowout of Oregon State, Bowen posted on his Instagram account Thursday morning that he underwent a third surgery on his injured leg. The OSU football program subsequently confirmed the redshirt junior underwent another procedure.
There is no timetable for a return.
View this post on Instagram
Third time’s a charm 🤙🏽 This past year has been by far the most challenging year of my life. I found out a couple weeks ago that my fibula hadn’t fully healed, and was not connected (known as a non-union), and would most likely never fully heal on its own. I tried to play through this for a while, but the pain became too much as it was affecting how I was playing, from running, to simply taking my steps as an offensive lineman. As frustrating as this injury has been, I know it’s going to make me stronger after it’s all said and done. I know God has a plan for me. I’ll be back and better than ever✊🏽
A post shared by Branden Bowen (@brandenbowen) on
Bowen started the first six games of the 2017 season at right guard before going down with the broken leg. After redshirting as a true freshman in 2015, Bowen played in 13 games the following season.
Earlier this week, Bowen announced on Instagram that he and his fiancée are expecting their first child in March.