EAST LANSING - LJ Scott is done for the season but will be back for another.

The Michigan State running back will take a redshirt this season and return for a fifth year of eligibility, coach Mark Dantonio announced after the Spartans lost 26-6 to Ohio State on Saturday in East Lansing.

"We're probably going to redshirt him, that's what it looks like," Dantonio said. "Well, we are going to redshirt him."

Scott will take advantage of a new NCAA rule that allows players who appear in four games or fewer in a season to take a redshirt. He is eligible to do so because he hasn't taken a redshirt yet in his college career.

"It's one of those things - you have an opportunity for him to come back, get his degree," Dantonio said. "He wants to do that and get himself right to play his final season at Michigan State. So, that's the decision we made with three games left."

Michigan State has two games left in the regular season and will play in a bowl.

Scott has appeared in four games this year and dressed against Ohio State but didn't play. Had he played just one snap against the Buckeyes, that would have prevented him from taking advantage of the new NCAA rule.

"Even though this is an important game and everything," Dantonio said, "we put it on him 'hey, this is it. If you play in this game and you get hurt, this is it.' After sitting down and thinking about it, he and his family made the decision to redshirt, which I support."

Scott led Michigan State in rushing each of his first three seasons and chose to return for a fourth instead of leaving for the NFL. However, it has not gone as planned. He suffered what Dantonio said was an ankle injury in a Sept. 8 loss at Arizona State, missed the next four games before returning against Michigan and Purdue, but was injured against the Boilermakers. That led to him sitting out last week's win at Maryland and Saturday's loss to the Buckeyes.

"Obviously his foot's bothering him," quarterback Brian Lewerke said, "so it's probably smart for him."

Scott has 55 carries for 180 yards and zero touchdowns this season while averaging a career-low 3.3 yards per rush. He ranks 10th on Michigan State's career rushing list with 2,771 yards.

"Whenever you're dealing with an injury, you've got to do what's best for you," safety Khari Willis said. "I'm just hoping and praying with him every day, trying to strengthen his faith that he can get healed and be LJ Scott."