How Indiana football might replace injured pass rusher; Alabama gets LT Overton back
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LOS ANGELES — Indiana football will go into the Rose Bowl with a relatively healthy roster.
The only new name on the initial injury report for the No. 1 Hoosiers (13-0) for the CFP quarterfinal game against Alabama from the last time they played was defensive end Stephen Daley, but coach Curt Cignetti previously announced he would likely miss the rest of the season with a leg injury he suffered after the Big Ten Title game.
Indiana's only other players listed as "out" are defensive end Kellan Wyatt, defensive back Bryson Bonds and running back Lee Beebe Jr., all players who have been long-standing absences. Starting placekicker Brendan Franke is listed as probable after missing five straight games with a lower-body injury.
How will Indiana football try to replace Stephen Daley in the Rose Bowl against Alabama?
Indiana had a couple weeks to prepare for life without Daley, who was one of the most impactful players on the defense in the back half of the season. He had 5.5 sacks and 19.0 tackles for loss — second most in the FBS — with six or more quarterback pressures in four of the team's last seven games.
The likeliest next man up for the Hoosiers is sophomore Daniel Ndukwe, who got extended playing time against Wisconsin after Mikail Kamara was sidelined for much of the second half with a shoulder injury. Ndukwe has played double-digit snaps each of IU's last three games.
“Same with all positions, it’s always next man up,” Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines said. "I expect that when Daniel Ndukwe’s number is called, he’ll be ready, just like everybody that came before him and everybody that’s going to come after him as well. And again, that’s regardless of position."
Haines also promised to "adapt the scheme" to Daley's replacement in the best position possible to succeed.
Alabama football starting defensive end LT Overton back for Rose Bowl
Alabama listed linebacker Jah-Marien Latham, defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. and defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman as "out" for the Rose Bowl. The Crimson Tide will get back starting defensive end LT Overton, who missed the SEC Championship and first-round of the CFP with an undisclosed ailment.
The 6-foot-5, 278-pounder has 35 tackles (21 solo) this season, six tackles for loss and four sacks. The former Texas A&M defender is also second on the team with 23 quarterback pressures.
He is one of nine former five-star players expected to start for Alabama in the Rose Bowl.
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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 Indianapolis Star: Indiana football injury report vs Alabama: Stephen Daley, LT Overton
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