Republican debate: Gov. Doug Burgum now says he will debate after suffering leg injury

“I’m in,” Burgum said.

Burgum, 67, was taken to a local emergency room after becoming injured while playing pickup basketball with his staff, his campaign confirmed. He suffered a high-grade tear to his Achilles tendon, a source familiar with his injury told the Washington Examiner.

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Burgum joined the walk-through prior to the debate to assess whether or not he would participate in the highly anticipated event. He will be on crutches during the walk-through, which was previously communicated with the RNC, the source said.

“I’ve played lots of pick-up games in my day! This isn’t the first time one has sent me to the ER. Appreciate all the well-wishes! #TeamBurgum,” the candidate said in a post.

Despite being something of a long-shot candidate and having relatively low name identification, the former successful tech entrepreneur was one of eight Republicans who qualified for the debate. In order to accrue the 40,000 unique donors necessary, he made headlines by offering $20 “Biden Relief Cards” in exchange for $1 donations.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), former Vice President Mike Pence, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson are set to participate in the debate, broadcast by Fox News.

Scott sent the North Dakota Republican well wishes following the news. “Praying for your speedy recovery, @DougBurgum,” he wrote.

Ramaswamy similarly sent his thoughts to Burgum, writing, “Wishing Doug Burgum well. Looking forward to seeing him on stage tonight.”

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The debate is set to begin at 9 p.m. EDT.