Nebraska’s injury picture got a little more complicated Thursday, and the biggest new wrinkle sits right in the middle of the defensive front.
Defensive tackle Riley Van Poppel popped up on the Huskers’ report as questionable for Saturday’s game against Indiana, joining tight end Carter Nelson and linebacker Gage Stenger. Nelson and Stenger both moved up from doubtful on Wednesday to questionable, but Van Poppel is the name that stands out most with Nebraska getting ready for an Indiana rushing attack that ranks ninth in the nation and includes two backs averaging more than 100 yards per game.
Van Poppel has been one of Nebraska’s most-used interior linemen this season, logging 166 snaps, which is second on the team among interior defensive linemen behind only Jahsear Whittington. The fourth-year junior has produced seven tackles, tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with four, and sits second on the team with two sacks.
“I think I'm playing probably the best I have in four years right now,” Van Poppel said Tuesday after Nebraska's Week 4 win over Michigan State.
The Huskers still have five players listed as out, all of whom have been in that same category since Big Ten play began: wide receiver Larry Miles, defensive back Kahmir Prescott, linebackers Jase Reynolds and Jacob Bower, and defensive lineman Gabe Moore.
Indiana, meanwhile, enters the matchup in much better shape health-wise and is getting closer to full strength in a few spots on defense.
Cornerback A.J. Harris is not on the injury report and is expected to be available.
Harris won a starting job to begin the season, but the Penn State transfer was injured in the first quarter and has not played since Week 1. Fifth-year Jamari Sharpe and second-year Jaylen Bell have started the last two games at corner for the Hoosiers.
Indiana also has defensive end David Ndukwe back off the report after he missed last week’s game against Rutgers. Through four games this season, Ndukwe has six tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries and a safety.
The Hoosiers have three players out: running back Khobie Martin, tight end Andrew Barker and cornerback Carson Williams. Barker started the last four games before getting hurt in last week’s win over Rutgers and will miss Saturday’s game against Nebraska. Martin has not played since Week 1, and Williams has been out since Week 3 because of injury.
Indiana wide receiver LeBron Bond is listed as questionable after sitting out the last four games. The true sophomore was expected to be in the two-deep at receiver this season, but he has not played since Week 1.
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