Indiana QB Rourke (thumb) ruled out indefinitely

Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke is out indefinitely with a thumb injury but is expected to return at some point in the 2024 season, the school announced Sunday.

Rourke is expected to miss next week’s game against Washington, when Indiana will serve as the host of ESPN’s “College GameDay” for the first time.

Sources had told ESPN’s Pete Thamel earlier Sunday that there was no timetable for Rourke’s return.

Rourke did not play in the second half of the No. 16 Hoosiers’ 56-7 win over Nebraska after injuring his right thumb while getting hit on a pass attempt in the second quarter. He stayed in the game and threw for 189 yards on 17-of-21 passing with one touchdown and one interception while leading the Hoosiers to a 28-7 halftime lead but was on the sideline in street clothes during the second half, which Indiana coach Curt Cignetti had called a precautionary move.

Backup Tayven Jackson, who started five games for Indiana in 2023, replaced Rourke for the second half and threw for 91 yards and two touchdowns on 7-of-8 passing while leading four touchdown drives.

Rourke, a sixth-year senior transfer from Ohio, had emerged as a Heisman Trophy contender while guiding the Hoosiers to their first 7-0 start since 1967.

Information from ESPN’s Max Olson was used in this report.