INDIANAPOLIS − Tommy Eichenberg believes he let people down.

That the reasons for that were beyond his control are of little consolation.

That he showed courage even attempting to play with the injuries he had at the end of his last two seasons at Ohio State also doesn't enter the equation in his mind.

Eichenberg was a captain and the unquestioned leader of the Buckeyes' defense in 2022 and '23. He was the Big Ten's linebacker of the year last season.

But in 2022, with Eichenberg playing with injured thumbs on both hands, Ohio State lost to Michigan.

Eichenberg revealed Wednesday at the NFL combine that he played this season's Michigan game with a dislocated elbow. He sustained the injury late in Ohio State's 35-16 road win against Rutgers on Nov. 4. After his 12-tackle performance against the Scarlet Knights, Eichenberg left the stadium with his left arm heavily wrapped in ice.

He missed the next two weeks, but not willingly. After the Senior Day victory over Minnesota, Ohio State coach Ryan Day joked that he and Eichenberg almost got into a fistfight because the linebacker resisted being held out of the game.

The next week was the Michigan game. There was no question about whether he'd play.

"I didn't even think twice about it," Eichenberg said. "I came back to play this game."

He made seven tackles, but also missed one at the start of the second half in the Buckeyes' loss.

"I don't want to make any excuses," Eichenberg said. "I just know I definitely could have played a lot better."

The loss denied the Buckeyes a chance for a Big Ten title and a berth in the College Football Playoff, which Michigan won.

"I felt like I'd let down so many people, especially being a captain, too," he said. "That's the standard − winning that game. It was very hard for me. But you've got to keep moving forward."

Eichenberg did not play in Ohio State's Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri. He finished the season with 80 tackles, including 10 or more in three games.

"The things I accomplished, I would have traded everything to beat the team up north and keep going on (to the College Football Playoff). I would have traded everything just to get those. I never really think about things I accomplished. I always think of my teammates and games that I think we should have won."

One of those Buckeye teammates, defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr., believes it's absurd that Eichenberg took responsibility for Ohio State coming up short.

"He didn't let anybody down," Hall said at the combine. "Tommy is one of the toughest guys I know."

Now Eichenberg is off the NFL. He's projected as a mid-round pick. Eichenberg says he is now fully healed and will participate in combine workouts. He wants to show he has the skills to play in pass coverage and not just be a first- and second-down player.

Eichenberg is typically a man of few words. His interview at the combine was the most expansive he's been since arriving at Ohio State from Cleveland.

But no one doubts his passion for the game.

Asked what will make him stand out in the NFL, Eichenberg replied, "I feel like I can name a lot of things, but my love for the game is unmatched."

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Tommy Eichenberg played in Ohio State vs. Michigan with elbow injury