Indiana football starting cornerbacks Jamari Sharpe and A.J. Harris are both day-to-day after suffering injuries during the first quarter of week one against North Texas.
That’s the good news IU football coach Curt Cignetti provided on Monday.
The not so good news but not a complete loss was Cignetti’s update on one of his top running backs.
“Khobie Martin will be out for a little bit. Expect him back sometime around midseason,” Cignetti said Monday.
Martin was injured while pass blocking on his second snap of the game. He posted a picture on social media Sunday of his arm in a sling, with his right forearm area wrapped.
Indiana has depth at running back, with the roles of Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe, Jr. now likely expanded. The Hoosiers will also take a closer look at second-year Sean Cuono and first-year Jayreon Campbell in the weeks to come. At the very least, one of them should step into the role Martin held a year ago — the third back with relatively limited snaps when the games are close.
As was the case a year ago for Charlie Becker and Stephen Daley, injuries provide opportunities. That will be the case for Cuono and Campbell, and Cignetti was already impressed by what he saw from second-year cornerback Jaylen Bell on Saturday.
“Jaylen Bell played extensively to the field and I thought did a nice job,” he said.
At the very least, the staff now knows it has a fourth corner it can trust in a pinch along with Ryland Gandy, who also filled in Saturday and started a game a season ago.
Two other anticipated contributors missed the entire game Saturday due to relatively minor injuries.
Freshman defensive tackle Blake Smythe and freshman tight end Trevor Gibbs are both expected to have roles in 2026.
“Gibbs was not available (against North Texas). He might return this week,” Cignetti said. “We’re going to take it slow. We need him long term. He’s close to returning, as is Blake Smythe, who wasn’t available for the game on Saturday.”
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