How long is BYU’s LJ Martin out with a leg injury? What to know after the latest update

BYU’s offensive plans took a hit with the news that star running back LJ Martin is dealing with a leg injury. The question that follows every such setback is not whether he will be missed, but how long he will be out and what BYU can realistically do to offset his absence during Big 12 play.

According to coverage published Tuesday by The Sporting News and republished through Yahoo Sports, Martin is “on the shelf for now,” with the article centered on the timeline for his return. The reporting frames the situation as ongoing and therefore not yet resolved publicly, which means any estimate of his availability for the next week or two would be speculative without a more definitive medical update.

Martin’s importance to BYU’s offense is underscored by his recent recognition in the Big 12. The same report notes he earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors, an award that typically indicates both high usage and high impact, particularly in the game-to-game decision-making coaches rely on during conference play. When a player with that kind of production is out, coaches often have to rebalance playcalling and limit the “margin for error” that can come from experimenting or taking away your most reliable options.

While the exact details of the injury and the return process were not laid out in the accessible summary, the practical football implications are clear. A leg injury can affect a running back’s ability to accelerate through the line, plant and cut with confidence, and stay fully engaged on pass routes and protections. Even when a player is cleared to practice, coaches frequently manage workload to avoid setbacks, so “back” does not always mean “ready for full reps immediately.”

For BYU, the next step is operational rather than emotional. The key questions for the coaching staff are how quickly the team can stabilize the backfield rotation and whether the offense can maintain its usual balance without becoming overly predictable. If Martin’s workload is reduced or replaced in short windows, it can also force adjustments to the offensive line’s run-blocking assignments and the timing routes on play-action and quick game concepts.

The most important thing to watch next is whether BYU provides a clearer status update as the week progresses, especially anything that indicates full practice participation versus limited reps. Until then, BYU’s opponents will prepare as though Martin remains unavailable, while BYU will be focused on the same underlying goal: protecting offensive rhythm and keeping the offense capable of sustained drives even with a major piece missing.