The BYU Cougars are set to navigate the upcoming stretch of their schedule without the services of standout running back LJ Martin.
Reports from ESPN indicate that Martin is expected to miss four to six weeks of action due to a lower-body issue, as confirmed by the program. The injury occurred during the opening half of the Cougars’ 17-10 victory against TCU in Week 5, resulting in his official scratch from Friday night’s matchup between eighth-ranked BYU and Iowa State.
So far this year, Martin has accumulated 344 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 44 attempts, adding 41 yards on five receptions. BYU had deliberately managed his touches during the initial weeks of the campaign to ensure he was fresh for the rigors of Big 12 competition.
As the defending Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, he recorded 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns on 236 carries during the 2025 season, helping propel BYU to the conference championship game. Heading into the sixth week of the current season, the Cougars boast the highest position of any Big 12 program in the AP Top 25 rankings.
Aside from quarterback Bear Bachmeier, no one else on the BYU roster has registered over 20 rushing attempts. The secondary option in the backfield is Journee Tonga, who has gained 157 yards and scored once on 19 carries. Tonga previously picked up 91 yards on 10 touches during a September 19 victory over Colorado State, followed by a 28-yard performance on seven attempts against TCU.
Bachmeier took on the majority of the ground game duties against the Horned Frogs, running 15 times for 66 yards. His rushing total actually surpassed his passing output for the game, as he completed only 11 of 24 throws for 62 yards.
Being without Martin could pose a major challenge for BYU as they prepare for a high-profile showdown with Notre Dame on October 17. The third-ranked Fighting Irish are scheduled to play in Provo during Week 7, which precedes a tough road test for the Cougars against 12th-ranked Utah on November 7.
