Earlier Thursday, Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm provided an update on quarterback Aidan O’Connell who’s been banged up a bit lately and a potential return date for defensive lineman George Karlaftis.

When Brohm was asked about O’Connell going into Saturday’s game against Rutgers, he said (via Tom Dienhart of Gold And Black), “No, Aidan will not dress (for Rutgers). He has an injury that he’s rehabbing. If he doesn’t have surgery during the season, he’ll have to after. It’s just a matter whether we can get him back to playing form.”

With O’Connell not going to play, that means backup Jack Plummer will get the start again after starting against Minnesota last week. Purdue lost the game 34-31, but Plummer threw for 367 yards and three touchdowns during it. He also had what would have been his fourth and the game-winner get called off due to pass interference.

When Brohm was asked about Karlaftis and his potential return, Brohm indicated he does believe the defensive lineman should be back by the date of Dec. 19th (even though as per Big Ten protocol, he’ll miss the majority of the regular season):

“I would think so. I haven’t counted the exact days yet. But I think so, yes,” explained Brohm.

An opponent for that Dec. 19th game is still yet to be determined as the Big Ten Championship Game will take place and then every other team will get another game against a cross-divisional opponent.