LOS ANGELES — Indiana football I'll go to Rose Bowl with a relatively healthy composition.
The only new name on the initial injury report for player No. 1. stockings (13-0) in CFP quarterfinal game vs. Alabama last time they played Stephen Daly's defense, but coach Kurt Cignetti previously announced that he would likely miss the rest of the season with a leg injury he suffered after the Big Ten title game.
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IndianaThe only other players listed as sidelined are cornerback Kellan Wyatt, cornerback Bryson Bonds and running back Lee Beebe Jr., all players who are out for long periods of time. Starter Brendan Franke is listed as probable after missing five straight games with a lower-body injury.
How Indiana football players will try to replace Stephen Daly in the Rose Bowl game against Alabama?
Indiana has had a couple of weeks to prepare for life without Daly, who has been one of the most dominant defensive players in the second half of the season. He had 5.5 sacks and 19.0 tackles for loss — second-highest in the FBS — with six or more quarterback pressures in four of the team's last seven games.
The Hoosiers' most likely next starter will be sophomore Daniel Ndukwe, who received extended playing time against Wisconsin after Mikail Kamara was sidelined for most of the second half with a shoulder injury. Ndukwe has played double-digit snaps in each of IU's last three games.
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“It’s the same with all positions: it’s always the next man up,” Indiana defensive coordinator. Bryant Haynes said. “I expect that when Daniel Ndukwe’s number is called, he will be ready, like everyone who came before him and everyone who comes after him. And again, this is regardless of position.”
Haynes also promised to “adapt the formation” to replace Daly in a better position to ensure success.
Alabama football starting defensive end LT Overton returns to Rose Bowl
Alabama placed linebacker Ja-Marien Latham, defensive lineman Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. and defensive lineman Jeremy Beaman on the Rose Bowl “out” list. The Crimson Tide will return starting cornerback LT Overton, who missed the SEC Championship and the first round of the CFP due to an undisclosed illness.
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The 6-foot-5, 278-pounder has 35 tackles (21 solo), six tackles for loss and four sacks this season. The former Texas A&M quarterback also ranks second on the team with 23 quarterback pressures.
He is one of nine former five-star players. expected to start in Alabama at the Rose Bowl..
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Michael Niziolek is a reporter for the Bloomington Herald-Times in Indiana. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his reports by clicking here.
This article originally appeared on the Indianapolis Star: Indiana vs. Alabama Football Injury Report: Steven Daly, LT Overton
