Indiana football's starting left tackle Carter Smith will miss spring practice

BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football starting left tackle Carter Smith won’t participate in spring practice as he recovers from offseason surgery to repair a labral tear in his left shoulder.

He told reporters on Tuesday that he anticipates being cleared for fall camp, and is hopeful he start weight training again in the next few weeks.

Smith, the Big Ten’s reigning Offensive Lineman of the Year, started all 16 games last year for the Hoosiers and earned consensus All-American honors.

According to Pro Football Focus, he was one of only 12 offensive linemen in the country to play more than 1,000 snaps (1,028). He received the ninth-highest overall graded among all FBS offensive linemen (85.3). Smith allowed only nine quarterback pressures (two sacks) all season.

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Smith announced he was returning for his senior season celebrating IU’s 27-21 win over Miami in the national title game. He sought out feedback from the College Advisory Committee and received a third-round draft grade, but opted to return for another season.

He’s made 38 consecutive starts for the Hoosiers going back to the 2023 season as a former 4-star prospect out of the Columbus area. He’s one of four players left on the roster from IU’s 2022 signing class.

Smith is one of three full-time returning starters on the offensive line (Bray Lynch and Drew Evans). The Hoosiers also brought back Adedamola Ajani, who made four starts down the stretch and lined up at three different positions for the Hoosiers last season. Indiana also added experienced Wisconsin transfer offensive lineman Joe Brunner out of the portal.

This story will be updated

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana football will be down a key starter on the offensive line this spring