A large lump appeared on Howard's hand in the first half of the CFP semifinal
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard says his non-throwing hand is "fine" after fans on social media couldn’t help but notice a rather unusual-looking lump on his hand during the Buckeyes' win over Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night.
Howard, 23, appeared to sustain an injury to his left hand during the first half of the game.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) passes against Texas during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
CBS Sports reported that the knot on his hand formed after he appeared to hit his hand on the helmet of a Longhorns player.
Social media erupted over the bizarre-looking injury as the lump seemed to grow larger.
Will Howard's hand 😬 pic.twitter.com/cxiUZLmJtV
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 11, 2025
Will Howard’s left hand right now 😳 pic.twitter.com/EB5ObtRxlL
— Grant Puskar (@grant_puskar_) January 11, 2025
I want to know more but I also want to know less about the giant bump on Will Howard's hand.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) January 11, 2025
Will Howard looks like he’s got a flesh eating beetle from The Mummy in his left hand pic.twitter.com/6gp4KkDvRY
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) January 11, 2025
Will Howard has a BLOW UP on his hand#PMSCFPESPN2 pic.twitter.com/ndJ7GhAUiT
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 11, 2025
ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe said during the broadcast that Howard did not receive any treatment for the lump during that game. After Ohio State’s victory, ESPN’s Jake Trotter reported that Howard told him his hand is "just fine."
The hands of Will Howard, #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes, in the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
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Howard was 24-of-33 passing for 289 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Now in his first season with the Buckeyes after entering the transfer portal last season, Howard has given Ohio State a chance to win its first national title in over a decade.
Quinshon Judkins, #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes, celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
The Buckeyes will take on Notre Dame in the national championship game on Jan. 20 in Atlanta.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Paulina Dedaj is a Sports Reporter for Fox News Digital.
