Indiana may be headed into its first road game of the season with two key pieces trending the right way.
Starting running back Turbo Richard and starting linebacker Rolijah Hardy are both listed as probable for Saturday night’s trip to Rutgers, according to Wednesday night’s availability report. Both players left last week’s win over Northwestern with injuries and never returned.
IU coach Curt Cignetti sounded upbeat about both earlier in the week. "We got really good news on Turbo and he'll be day-to-day," Cignetti said Monday.
"I'm optimistic he can play Saturday (vs. Rutgers), as well as Rolijah Hardy."
Richard, a transfer from Boston College, has been a steady force in the Hoosiers’ backfield with 50 carries for 383 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Hardy, now a second-year starter, has put up 29 tackles, three tackles for loss, one interception, two pass breakups and a defensive touchdown.
Indiana does have a couple of names still sitting in the questionable column. Cornerback A.J.
Harris and running back Sean Cuono are both listed there, with Harris moving in a better direction after being listed as doubtful before last week’s game and then ultimately downgraded to out. A transfer from Penn State, Harris opened the season as a starter but has not played since an injury early in Week 1.
The Hoosiers also ruled out four players: defensive end Daniel Ndukwe, running back Khobie Martin, wide receiver LeBron Bond and cornerback Carson Williams. Ndukwe’s absence stands out after he played in all four games this season, recording six tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries and a safety.
Rutgers has its own injury watch list to monitor. Starting running back Antwan Raymond is questionable after piling up 438 rushing yards and four touchdowns this season, including three straight games with at least 120 yards on the ground. Starting left guard Dantae Chin is also questionable; he was named to the Comeback Player of the Year Watch List and has not played since Week 2 against UMass.
The Scarlet Knights do have starting safety Kaj Sanders trending toward availability. He is listed as probable after collecting 11 tackles and one pass breakup in three games.
No. 6 Indiana, 4-0, visits Rutgers, 1-3, at 8 p.m.
ET Saturday in Piscataway, N.J. The Week 5 game will air on Big Ten Network, and it will be the Scarlet Knights’ Homecoming weekend.
It also marks Indiana’s first road trip of the season.
Indiana availability report:
OUT: EDGE Daniel Ndukwe; RB Khobie Martin; WR LeBron Bond; DB Carson Williams
QUESTIONABLE: CB A.J. Harris; RB Sean Cuono
PROBABLE: RB Turbo Richard; LB Rolijah Hardy
Rutgers availability report:
OUT: DB Kevin Levy
DOUBTFUL: DB Davoun Fuse; DB Steven Murray
QUESTIONABLE: RB Antwan Raymond; DB Kevyn Humes; WR Dylan Braithwaite; OL Dantae Chin
PROBABLE: DB Kaj Sanders
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The trip also comes with a little uncertainty in the backfield. Starting running back Turbo Richard is dealing with a recent injury, and if he cant go, Lee Beebe Jr. is expected to handle a significant share of the work. Rutgers has had trouble keeping offenses in check, which makes Indianas ground game an especially interesting piece to watch as the Hoosiers try to keep their momentum going away from home. [Read more 🡒]