Indiana may have dodged a bullet on Friday night.
According to a report by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, running back Turbo Richard suffered a high ankle sprain when he was tackled on the sideline in the first half against Northwestern.
ESPN is also reporting via sources Richard’s injury is not serious and he should return soon, perhaps even next weekend against Rutgers. Indiana will issue multiple injury reports ahead of the Rutgers game.
Richard left the game and did not return.
High ankle sprains typically take multiple weeks to recover from, and they can linger, but that injury would be unlikely to cost Richard the remainder of the season.
In a social media post Saturday, Richard seemed to confirm the injury is not long term.
“Appreciate all the love, support, and prayers from everyone,” Richard said. “Thankful for my teammates, coaches, family, friends, and Hoosier Nation. God’s got me — I’ll be back soon.”
Richard has 50 carries for 383 yards and four touchdowns this season. He entered the season as part of a trio of backs expected to share carries.
Another member of that trio, Khobie Martin, was injured in week one and is not expected to return until midseason. Lee Beebe, Jr. took all of the running back snaps in the second half against Northwestern and had a career-high 203 rushing yards for the game.
With Richard and Martin out, Indiana is down to three scholarship running backs — Beebe, second-year Sean Cuono and first-year Jayreon Campbell. Neither Cuono or Campbell have significant college experience.
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