Ezekiel Elliott Hospitalized Week Prior to Michigan State Game

As questions about the Ohio State Buckeyes' play-calling in Saturday's loss against the Michigan State Spartans continue, at least one answer has emerged. Running back Ezekiel Elliott may have been marginalized in the offense because of a brief hospital stay earlier in the week.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel, Elliott's father said his son was hospitalized with some type of infection. According to Tim Moody of Scout.com, Ohio State's star running back said he was in the hospital from Monday through Wednesday and "didn't even think he was going to play."

Ohio State's undefeated season and likely its national title hopes ended in a 17-14 defeat at the Spartans' hands. The Buckeyes ran just 45 plays on offense, with Elliott carrying the ball only 12 times for 33 yards. 

After the game, per Moody, Elliott said the team wasn't "put in the right situations to win." It's unclear how much, if at all, the infection hindered the star. Saturday marked the first time since Nov. 15, 2014, that he failed to break the 100-yard mark. 

Regardless of whether Elliott should have been a bigger part of the offense against Michigan State, his limited availability in practice before the huge conference showdown must have impacted head coach Urban Meyer's game plan.

That doesn't excuse Ohio State's offensive showing, but it does shed light on Elliott's performance.