Indiana is heading into Week 2 already juggling a thin injury report, and the biggest concern right now sits in the secondary. Starting cornerbacks Jamari Sharpe and A.J. Harris each got only a few snaps against North Texas before leaving the opener and not coming back, and Curt Cignetti said Monday that both are “day-to-day right now.”
That leaves their status for Saturday’s game against Howard up in the air for now. Cignetti said he’ll check in with trainers early in the week before deciding whether either corner can go.
The good news for Indiana is that the replacements were forced into real action and held up. Fifth-year cornerback Ryland Gandy stepped in and made six tackles, including three solo stops, while second-year cornerback Jaylen Bell logged four tackles, three of them solo, in his first extended defensive action of his career.
The Hoosiers also took a hit at running back. Third-year back Khobie Martin went down early in the first quarter against North Texas and did not return, and Cignetti said he’ll be out for a few weeks.
“Khobie Martin will be out a little bit, and expect him back midseason,” Cignetti said.
There were more injury questions elsewhere on the roster. Freshman tight end Trevor Gibbs missed the opener, but Cignetti said he’s getting close to returning and could be on the field soon for his collegiate debut. Indiana, though, is being careful not to rush him back before he’s ready.
The defensive line rotation was also affected, with true freshman Blake Smythe sitting out Week 1 because of an injury. Cignetti said Smythe is dealing with an issue that kept him out against North Texas, though he could be available soon.
True freshman defensive tackle Cam McHaney was also part of the injury picture.
In Other News...
Curt Cignetti Sends Early Message As IU Receiver Breaks Out
Davion Chandlers early-season burst has given Indiana another playmaker to lean on, and the freshman wideout has already made a big impression with just two catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns. His latest score came with a little extra flair after he spiked the ball in celebration, a moment that fit the energy of a receiver who has quickly turned limited touches into game-changing production.
Curt Cignetti took the opportunity to reinforce the standard he wants his team to follow, making clear that Indiana prefers group celebrations over individual ones. It was not a new message from the head coach, either, since he has already addressed similar reactions from other players and made sure Chandler understood where that line is drawn. For a Hoosiers offense trying to build an identity, the playmaking matters, but so does the way the moment is handled afterward. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Loses Khobie Martin And The Backfield Question Gets Real
Curt Cignetti confirmed Monday that Indiana will be without running back Khobie Martin for a stretch after the arm injury he picked up in the season opener, with the junior expected back around midseason. Martin went down early and never got a carry before leaving the game, a frustrating turn for a back the Hoosiers had hoped to lean on as they settled into the fall.
For now, the backfield belongs to Lee Beebe Jr. and Turbo Richard, who are positioned to carry the load while Indiana adjusts. It is the kind of early-season setback that can change the shape of an offense quickly, and it leaves the Hoosiers with a real chance to learn something about their depth before Martin is able to rejoin the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Should Be Watching Michigans Quarterback Situation Very Closely
Michigans quarterback picture already looks unsettled after one game, and Indiana has every reason to keep an eye on it. Bryce Underwoods debut against Western Michigan did not produce the kind of certainty Michigan wanted, as he completed 12 of 22 passes for 170 yards while turning it over twice. For a team trying to stabilize the most important position on the field, that kind of opener leaves more questions than answers.
Kyle Whittingham has said Underwood is still the starter, but the language around that status sounded far from locked in. With Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and Tommy Carr waiting behind him, Michigan appears ready to at least consider alternatives if the early-season inconsistency continues. From Indianas perspective, a volatile quarterback situation in a conference opponent is the kind of development worth tracking closely, because it can quickly change the shape of a game plan later in the year. [Read more 🡒]