Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke expected to miss time due to thumb injury, per report
Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke is expected to be sidelined for this week’s contest against Washington, according to a report.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel was first to break that news on Sunday morning. Rourke suffered the injury in Indiana’s blowout win over Nebraska in Week 8.
The good news for Indiana, per Thamel, is that Rourke’s injury is not expected to be season-ending. Thamel reports that the timetable for his return as of now is unclear:
Sources: Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke is not expected to play this week against Washington because of a thumb injury in the Nebraska game. He will return this season, but the timetable isn’t clear yet. pic.twitter.com/mWWpKwKrVk
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 20, 2024
Rourke has quietly been one of the best quarterbacks in the country this season while leading Indiana to a 7-0 start. On Saturday vs. the Huskers, he threw 189 yards and 1 touchdown on 21 attempts before leaving the game due to the injury.
Rourke enters Week 9 as the nation’s leader in passer efficiency rating at 188.71. Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Will Howard and Thomas Castellanos round out the top 5 in that category.
With Rourke sidelined vs. Nebraska, IU turned to Tayven Jackson to run the show in the second half. Jackson was excellent, completing 7-of-8 passes for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also carried the ball twice for 21 yards.
Indiana will look to move to 8-0 this weekend with a win over Washington.