Ohio State's Fields downplays injury after loss: 'I was healthy enough'

Justin Fields played through a hip pointer in Monday's 52-24 national championship game loss to Alabama, but the Ohio State quarterback refused to use the injury to excuse his performance.

"At the end of the day, I was able to play and we didn't get the job done. So I don't think my injury had an effect. I mean, of course, I could've been healthier, but I was healthy enough," Fields said, according to ESPN's Tom VanHaaren.

Fields was on the mend from a crushing hit to the midsection during Ohio State's Sugar Bowl win against Clemson but was unable to replicate his semifinal performance Monday.

The signal-caller commanded an air show against Clemson, throwing for 385 yards and six touchdowns but was stifled by Alabama in the national championship game. He completed just over half his passes (17-for-33) and was held to under 200 yards.

While Fields was unable to escape with a win, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day insists his quarterback can still leave with his head held high.

"For him to go out there and play today really shows his toughness and how much he loves his brothers. He still took some shots on that hip and he was not 100 percent tonight," Day said.

Fields impressed during his pandemic-shortened junior season. He tossed 22 touchdowns to six interceptions while also setting a new career high in completion percentage (70.2).

His next step will likely be a transition to the pros. Fields could potentially see himself become the second quarterback off the board after capturing back-to-back Big Ten titles. He hasn't officially declared yet but alluded to entering the 2021 NFL Draft following Monday's game.

"These last few years have been great, made a lot of friendships. Made a lot of brothers. I wanted a different outcome, but I'm going to miss everybody," the passer noted.