Cincinnati Bearcats running back Gi'Bran Payne is out vs. WVU

Cincinnati Bearcats running back Gi’Bran Payne has been injured in UC’s game vs. West Virginia. Payne has an ankle injury and will not return.

Payne had seven carries for 26 yards before leaving the game. Cole Tabb was his replacement and has surpassed 100 yards. Payne came into the game with 392 yards as UC’s leading ground-gainer.

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Payne, a local favorite out of La Salle High School, came to the Bearcats in the offseason from Notre Dame, where he was on the 2025 Comeback Player of the Year Watch list. Payne had been with the Irish since 2022, with his best year being 2023 when he gained 168 yards and scored two touchdowns as Notre Dame’s short-yardage back.

He missed 2024 with an injury but saw action in all 12 Notre Dame games last season, primarily on the kickoff return team. Payne transferred to UC Jan. 6. Payne often played both ways for La Salle in the Greater Catholic League-South and was on their 2019 OHSAA Division II state championship team.

The Enquirer will update this story as details are provided.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats running back Gi’Bran Payne is out vs. WVU