Rose Bowl Injury Report: Indiana Prepares for Life Without Stephen Daley, Alabama Gets Key Starter Back
As Indiana gears up for its College Football Playoff quarterfinal clash with Alabama in the Rose Bowl, the top-ranked Hoosiers are entering the week with a roster that’s mostly intact - but not without a few critical absences.
The biggest blow? Defensive end Stephen Daley, who won’t suit up after suffering a leg injury following the Big Ten Championship. Head coach Curt Cignetti had already indicated Daley was likely done for the season, and now it's official: Indiana will have to make its playoff run without one of its most disruptive defensive forces.
Daley wasn’t just a starter - he was a game-changer. His 5.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss rank him among the nation’s elite, and his ability to generate pressure consistently (six or more pressures in four of Indiana’s last seven games) made him a cornerstone of the Hoosiers' defensive identity. Losing a player like that this late in the season is a challenge no coach wants, especially when the next opponent is Alabama.
Next Man Up: Daniel Ndukwe Steps Into the Spotlight
With Daley out, the Hoosiers will likely lean on sophomore Daniel Ndukwe to help fill the void. Ndukwe saw increased reps late in the season, including meaningful snaps against Wisconsin after fellow defensive end Mikail Kamara exited with a shoulder injury. He’s logged double-digit snaps in each of Indiana’s last three games - not a massive sample size, but enough to show the coaching staff trusts him in high-leverage moments.
Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines made it clear: the standard doesn’t change.
“Same with all positions, it’s always next man up,” Haines said. “I expect that when Daniel Ndukwe’s number is called, he’ll be ready, just like everybody that came before him and everybody that’s going to come after him.”
Haines also noted that the defensive scheme will be adjusted to put Daley’s replacement in the best position to succeed. That kind of flexibility will be key against an Alabama offense that thrives on exploiting mismatches and breakdowns in protection.
Other Hoosiers on the Mend
Beyond Daley, Indiana’s injury report includes a few familiar names. Defensive end Kellan Wyatt, defensive back Bryson Bonds, and running back Lee Beebe Jr. remain out - none of whom have been active for a while.
The more intriguing update involves placekicker Brendan Franke, who is listed as probable after missing five straight games with a lower-body injury. If Franke is able to return, it could provide a boost to Indiana’s special teams unit, which has had to adapt in his absence.
Crimson Tide Gets a Key Piece Back
On the other side, Alabama isn’t coming in at full strength either. Linebacker Jah-Marien Latham, defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., and defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman are all out for the Rose Bowl. But the headline for the Tide is the return of starting defensive end LT Overton.
Overton, who missed both the SEC Championship and Alabama’s first-round CFP game due to an undisclosed issue, is back in the fold - and that’s a big deal. The 6-foot-5, 278-pounder has tallied 35 tackles this season (21 solo), with six tackles for loss, four sacks, and 23 quarterback pressures. That last stat is especially telling - only one player on Alabama’s roster has more.
A former five-star recruit and Texas A&M transfer, Overton brings both size and speed off the edge, and his return gives Alabama a significant boost in the trenches. He’s one of nine former five-star players expected to start for the Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl, a reminder of just how loaded this Alabama roster remains.
What It All Means Heading Into Pasadena
Indiana’s depth and defensive cohesion have been strengths all season, but losing Daley puts that depth to the test at the worst possible time. Alabama, meanwhile, regains a high-impact defender just in time for the biggest game of the year.
The Rose Bowl is shaping up to be a heavyweight battle - and as is often the case in the postseason, the difference may come down to how well each team handles the unexpected. For Indiana, that means finding a way to replace Daley’s production without compromising the integrity of a defense that’s been among the best in the country. For Alabama, it’s about re-integrating a key piece and continuing to play at a championship level.
Kickoff is almost here. The stakes couldn’t be higher. And both teams are adjusting on the fly - because in the College Football Playoff, it’s not just about who you are, but who’s available when the lights come on.