Indiana football star receiver might be out for spring practice: 'We miss him being out there'

BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football receiver Charlie Becker could miss the rest of spring practice with a hamstring injury.

It's a similar injury that slowed him down during fall camp last season.

"I don't know if he'll be back or not the rest of spring," IU coach Curt Cignetti said Thursday. "And certainly, we miss him being out there right now."

Becker emerged as one of IU's key playmakers on its national title run last year with 34 receptions for 679 yards and four touchdowns. He had three 100-yard performances over the team's final seven games while becoming a player Curt Cignetti said the coaching staff simply, "couldn't take him off the field."

"I think the way he finished this season, he was one of the top receivers certainly in the Big Ten Conference," Cignetti said. "You know, another guy that took advantage of his opportunities."

WR room: Charlie Becker set to carry Indiana football's receivers forward — but he's got help

With Becker sidelined, the focus for Indiana will be building depth at the receiver position. The Hoosiers brought in Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh and Tulane transfer Shazz Preston as they look to replace Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. They will also get back former Michigan transfer Tyler Morris back from the knee injury he suffered last year.

Cignetti is also keeping a close eye on the roster's youngsters like Davion Chandler and Lebron Bond.

"I think the emphasis is probably bringing the two young ones along, Chandler and Bond, and getting Marsh and Shazz going and learning the offense so they're not thinking, which I see progress every day," Cignetti said.

Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar's Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Charlie Becker injury: Indiana football receiver out with hamstring, roster