Indiana football has hit its first major road block of the 2024 college football season.
Hoosiers starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke has already been ruled out of Saturday’s Big Ten matchup against Washington due to a thumb injury, per reports from Michael Niziolek of the Indianapolis Star and Zachary Osterman of The Herald-Times (Bloomington, Indiana).
Rourke is out indefinitely following the injury but should return during the 2024 season, per the reports.
It’s a tough break for the sixth-year transfer senior and Indiana starting quarterback. Rourke has worked himself into the Heisman Trophy race with 1,941 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions. He has helped lead Indiana to a 7-0 start, with the Hoosiers sitting atop the Big Ten standings with a 4-0 conference record.
Redshirt sophomore Tayven Jackson relieved Rourke following the injury and is expected to earn the start vs. the Huskies. Jackson completed 7 of 8 passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns and added two rushes for 21 yards.
Here’s what you need to know about Rourke’s injury and the latest updates:
Kurtis Rourke injury update
Rourke appeared to hit his hand on a Nebraska player’s helmet late in the second quarter. He remained in the game for a few snaps to close the first half. However, he did not immediately come back out of the locker room with his teammates after halftime.
With Indiana holding a 28-7 halftime lead, Rourke finished the day completing 17 of 21 passes for 189 yards, one touchdown and an interception. His turnover was on an end-of-the-half Hail Mary throw after sustaining the thumb injury.
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti offered an update following the game:
“I know people are going to ask me about Kurtis,” Cignetti said. “Thought he played really well in the first half. He had a thumb on a helmet, nail kind of came off. We’ll know more tomorrow. But optimistic.”
