Indiana’s backfield is suddenly looking awfully thin at the worst possible time.
Heading into Saturday’s Week 5 trip to Rutgers, the Hoosiers have three of their top running backs dealing with injury designations, and the latest Big Ten availability report added an especially uncomfortable twist. What started with known issues has turned into a full-blown depth test for Indiana’s ground game.
Redshirt sophomore Khobie Martin is already ruled out for the Rutgers game after breaking his forearm early in Week 1 against North Texas. The hope, according to the report, is that he can work his way back in the middle of the season.
Turbo Richard, meanwhile, appears to be trending in a better direction. He left the Week 4 game against Northwestern in the second quarter with what was later identified as a high ankle sprain after rushing for 68 yards on nine carries. The good news for Indiana is that Richard is listed as probable and could be back this week.
Then came the surprise. Lee Beebe Jr., who carried the offense in Richard’s absence with 203 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries against Northwestern, is now listed as questionable. Indiana likely doesn’t beat Northwestern without that performance, which makes his status especially important.
Sean Cuono is also questionable, giving Indiana four running backs on the availability report and putting real pressure on a unit that was supposed to be one of the roster’s strengths.
That strength looked obvious entering the 2026 season. Richard arrived through the transfer portal after posting 749 yards and 9 touchdowns at Boston College last year, and he has delivered for the Hoosiers with 383 yards, 7.7 yards per carry and 4 touchdowns so far.
Martin came back after a strong redshirt freshman season in 2025-26, when he piled up 505 yards and 6 rushing scores while Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black each topped 1,000 yards. He was supposed to be a breakout candidate this season, but that push is on hold for now.
Beebe’s situation is also a concern because he was productive in limited work last season before a season-ending injury in Week 3. He finished with 209 yards and 7.7 yards per rush.
Indiana expected to have a three-man hammer in the backfield with Richard, Martin and Beebe. Instead, the Hoosiers are headed to Rutgers with their running back room under real strain.
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