Indiana’s availability picture cleared up a bit Wednesday night, and the biggest news came on the edge.
Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt were removed from Indiana’s second Big Ten availability report ahead of Friday night’s matchup with Northwestern. Both fifth-year EDGEs had been listed as questionable Tuesday night, but they are no longer on the report after receiving an injunction Wednesday in their lawsuit against the NCAA. That development clears the way for both to be eligible for the rest of the season.
The Hoosiers, ranked No. 5, will face the Wildcats at 8 p.m. ET on Friday at Memorial Stadium to open Big Ten play.
Indiana still has three players listed out: third-year running back Khobie Martin, second-year wide receiver LeBron Bond and third-year cornerback Carson Williams.
There is also one Hoosier listed as doubtful: fourth-year cornerback A.J. Harris.
Harris started Indiana’s season opener against North Texas but was hurt early in the first quarter and has not returned since. Fifth-year cornerback Ryland Gandy has filled that spot against Howard and Western Kentucky.
The only Indiana player listed as questionable is starting kicker Nico Radicic, who has missed the last two weeks with a back injury. In his place, fifth-year kicker Paddy McAteer has handled both place-kicking and kickoff duties in the last two games.
Northwestern’s report did not change Wednesday night.
The Wildcats have 14 players listed as out and three as doubtful, including fifth-year starting defensive back Braden Turner. Turner, an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2025, has posted 15 total tackles, eight solo tackles, one tackle for loss, two pass breakups and one interception this season.
Northwestern third-year offensive lineman Ezomo Oratokhai is also out. He was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2025 and was in the starting lineup last week against Colorado.
Another notable absence for the Wildcats is third-year rotational defensive end Callen Campbell, who is out as well. Northwestern views Campbell as a potential key piece up front after he played in 12 games last season and finished with seven tackles.
Among the other Northwestern players listed out are Seth Valeri, Max Mohring, Jason Reynolds II, Nigel Glover, Qayvier Johnson, David Anchondo, Jacob Miller, Chris Petrucci, Tom McGlinchey, Migo Jackson, Glory Stephen-Wangboje and Troy Regovich.
The Wildcats’ doubtful group includes Hayden Eligon II, Chase Farrell and Turner.
Beginning this year, the Big Ten requires schools to submit four availability reports each week, starting three days before the game and ending with a game day update. Reports are due by 8 p.m. ET three days, two days and one day before kickoff, with a final report required no later than two hours before the game.
Midweek reports use the designations probable, questionable, doubtful, out and out (1st half). On game day, the league will use game time decision, out and out (1st half).
For visiting teams, the conference says only players who are part of the travel squad, or who are not traveling but are still part of the two-deep or otherwise regularly appear in games, must be listed.
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