Indiana Injury Report: Turbo Richard Out and Josh Hoover Not Listed

Indiana starting quarterback Josh Hoover does not appear on the initial Big Ten availability report for Saturday’s game against No. 18 USC, ESPN reported.

While Hoover’s absence from the list offers a glimmer of hope for the ninth-ranked Hoosiers, the team is set to lose several critical contributors. The availability of the offense and defense remains a primary concern for Coach Curt Cignetti as the team prepares for a high-stakes conference clash.

The situation surrounding the quarterback position has been evolving since Hoover sustained an injury to his throwing arm during a loss against Ohio State on Oct. 17. Grant Wilson stepped in during the second half of an overtime victory against Minnesota on Oct. 24, and Wilson earned praise from Cignetti after passing for 156 yards and a touchdown in that contest.

Indiana Injury Report: Turbo Richard Out and Josh Hoover Not Listed — Photo: thedailyhoosier.com

“He was on the mend,” Cignetti said regarding Hoover during his radio show last week, noting the quarterback spent the team’s open week resting. However, Cignetti did not name a starting quarterback for the upcoming game against USC on Monday.

Turbo Richard and Kellan Wyatt miss the game

The Hoosiers will be without running back Turbo Richard and defensive lineman Kellan Wyatt, both of whom are listed as out, according to ESPN. Under Big Ten rules, once a player is ruled out, that status cannot be changed during the week, The Daily Hoosier reported.

Richard, who dealt with an ankle injury earlier this season, leads the team with 745 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Although he had only seven carries in the win over Minnesota, his absence leaves the backfield short-handed. The Hoosiers will likely lean more heavily on Lee Beebe Jr., who has recorded 715 rushing yards this season.

Indiana RB Turbo Richard and DL Kellan Wyatt are both out for the USC game, per the Big Ten availability report. CB A. J. Harris and LB Rolijah Hardy are both questionable and QB Josh Hoover does NOT appear on the report, so he's set to play.

— Post by @ESPNRittenberg on X

The defensive unit faces its own set of challenges. While Wyatt has been out since the Michigan game, two other starters remain in doubt. Linebacker Rolijah Hardy and cornerback A.J. Harris are both listed as questionable for the matchup against USC.

Player	Position	Status	Key Season Statistic
Turbo Richard	Running Back	Out	745 rushing yards
Rolijah Hardy	Linebacker	Questionable	58 tackles
A.J. Harris	Cornerback	Questionable	17 tackles

Hardy, a second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2025, currently ranks second on the team with 58 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. The Daily Hoosier said that Hardy suffered a pregame back injury during warmups for the Minnesota game.

Harris has been a consistent presence in the secondary, starting the last three games after missing four earlier this season due to an injury sustained in the opener. He has recorded 17 tackles and two pass breakups so far this year. Regarding his availability, Cignetti described Harris as “day-to-day” during his Monday media availability.

The loss of these players forces Indiana to rely on depth at a time when the strength of schedule is intensifying. While the absences of these specific players did not prevent a win over Ohio State, the cumulative impact of missing a leading rusher and a primary linebacker could shift the momentum against a ranked USC squad.