The Indiana Hoosiers’ dream season kept rolling even without star QB Kurtis Rourke, who exited their Week 8 blowout of the Nebraska Cornhuskers with a hand injury. Initially ruled out “indefinitely,” Rourke underwent thumb surgery, but after a closer look post-surgery, his status was upgraded to “questionable” going forward.
So, what exactly happened to Rourke, and what’s the latest on his recovery timeline?
What Happened to Kurtis Rourke?
Rourke has been the driving force behind the Hoosiers’ remarkable start, lighting up the field and stirring Heisman buzz with his eye-popping stats. Yet, he left the game at halftime after sustaining a thumb injury late in the second quarter.
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By Sunday, the diagnosis of a broken thumb was a tough blow—Rourke would be out for an “indefinite period,” with concerns he might miss significant time. But by Tuesday morning, Hoosiers fans got a more optimistic update.
Though initially listed as doubtful for Week 9’s game against Washington, Rourke sat out as Indiana pushed their record to 8-0. Now, as the Hoosiers gear up for Michigan State on November 2, head coach Curt Cignetti has confirmed that Rourke is officially set to return this week.
“The situation couldn’t have played out better,” ESPN’s Pete Thamel shared on College GameDay.
Thamel wasn’t right, as Rourke is indeed ready to start, announced on Cignetti’s Thursday night radio show.
Cignetti expressed his confidence in Rourke’s progress, noting that his workload had increased through practice this week, gearing up for game day on November 2.
If Rourke faces were to face any setbacks, Tayven Jackson, who stepped up against Washington, will be ready to go. But for now, all eyes are on Rourke’s return as Indiana’s dream season rolls on.
Who Is Tayven Jackson?
Jackson is a seasoned Hoosier—a former starter and one of the last links to the Tom Allen era of Indiana football.
Last season, he started five games, passing for 914 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions on a struggling offense. This year, he’s been more effective off the bench, throwing for 349 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. On the ground, he’s added 53 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
As a dual-threat quarterback, Jackson is a throw-first player with excellent size and an NFL-caliber arm. The real test now is whether head coach Curt Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan can scheme players open and simplify his reads.
Jackson has the physical tools, and this season, he’s got a talented supporting cast—a luxury he hasn’t always had in past years.
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