Indiana football gets healthier at the right time as Ohio State loses two key starters

BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti has a remarkably healthy roster midway through the season.

The No. 4 Hoosiers (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) head into this weekend’s top-five showdown vs. No. 5 Ohio State (5-1, 3-0) without a single starter ruled out. The Buckeyes can’t say the same. Here’s a look at the initial injury report for the game:

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Indiana football’s availability report for Wednesday, Oct. 14

• Doubtful: RB Khobie Martin

• Questionable: TE Andrew Barker

Indiana has its slightest injury report of the season to start out the week. After missing four straight games, defensive back Carson Williams is off the availability report. Receiver Lebron Bond, who missed IU’s last two games, looks like he will be available to play as well.

The reserves give IU added depth at both positions, but the bigger development is Martin trending toward a return. He entered the season expecting to split carries at running back with Lee Beebe Jr. and Turbo Richard, but suffered an arm injury on IU’s second offensive snap of the season.

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Indiana would welcome Barker’s return as well.

The redshirt freshman leads the team in snaps at tight end (144), even though he missed the Nebraska game with an undisclosed injury.

Ohio State’s injury report isn’t quite as clean.

The Buckeyes have already ruled out a pair of key contributors with tackle Austin Siereveld and running back Ja’Kobi Jackson listed as out. Siereveld, who started OSU’s previous two games against the Hoosiers, is one of the most experienced offensive linemen on the team. Jackson is second on the team in rushing with 59 carries for 354 yards with six touchdowns.

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Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana football gets healthier at the right time as Ohio State loses two key starters