LOS ANGELES — The Indiana football team will enter the Rose Bowl with a relatively healthy roster.
The only new name on the initial injury report for the top-ranked Hoosiers (13-0) from their last CFP quarterfinal game against Alabama was defensive end Stephen Daley, but coach Curt Cignetti previously announced that he would likely miss the remainder of the season with a leg injury sustained after the Big Ten Championship Game.
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Indiana’s only players listed as “out” are defensive end Kellan Wyatt, defensive back Bryson Bonds and running back Lee Bibby Jr., all of whom are long-term outs. Starting kicker Brendan Frank, who has missed five straight games with a lower-body injury, is listed as a possible starter.
How will the Indiana football team replace Stephon Dailey in the Rose Bowl against Alabama?
Indiana has had a few weeks to prepare for life without Daly, one of the defense’s most impactful players in the second half of the season. He ranks second in the FBS with 5.5 sacks and 19.0 tackles for loss, and has six or more quarterback pressures in four of the team’s last seven games.
The most likely next player for the Hoosiers is sophomore Daniel Ndukwe, who got extended playing time against Wisconsin after Mikail Kamara missed most of the second half with a shoulder injury. Ndukwe has scored in double digits in each of IU’s past three games.
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“It’s the same at all positions, it’s always the next guy up,” Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haynes said. “I hope when Daniel N’Dukwe’s number is called, he’ll be ready, just like everyone before him and everyone after him. Again, it’s not about position.”
Haynes also promised to “adjust the program” to best position Daley’s successor to succeed.
Alabama football starting defensive end LT Overton returns to Rose Bowl
Alabama listed linebacker Jah-Marien Latham, defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. and defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman as “out” from the Rose Bowl. The Crimson Tide will return starting defensive end LT Overton, who missed the SEC Tournament and the CFP first round with an undisclosed illness.
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The 6-foot-5, 278-pounder has 35 tackles (21 solo) this season, including six tackles for loss and four sacks. The former Texas A&M linebacker also ranks 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 an Indiana reporter for the Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek And click here to read all of his coverage.
This article originally appeared in the Indianapolis Star: Indiana football injury report vs. Alabama: Stephen Daley, LT Overton