Indiana lists Josh Hoover as probable for Minnesota game; Wyatt and Chandler out

Indiana listed starting quarterback Josh Hoover as probable on its initial availability report released Wednesday night, Oct. 28, for Saturday’s home game against Minnesota. Defensive end Kellan Wyatt and wide receiver Davion Chandler are out, while safety Quan Sanks is questionable, according to The Herald-Times and 247Sports. The designations give Indiana its first indication of who may be available after Hoover played through an apparent injury in last week’s win at Michigan.

Why Hoover is on Indiana’s availability report

This is Hoover’s first appearance on Indiana’s availability report this season, The Herald-Times reported. Coach Curt Cignetti said Hoover was not at 100% after Indiana’s 13–6 overtime win over Michigan, when the quarterback attempted only two passes after halftime. The coaching staff considered replacing him with backup Grant Wilson, according to the paper.

Hoover has thrown for 1,741 yards, 18 touchdowns and one interception this season, The Herald-Times reported. Indiana enters the Minnesota game at 7–1 overall and 4–1 in Big Ten play, making the status of its starting quarterback consequential for a team near the top of the conference standings.

Wyatt and Chandler ruled out against Minnesota

Wyatt was injured against Michigan, according to 247Sports; The Herald-Times described it as a lower-body injury. The paper reported that he had moved up Indiana’s depth chart to become the first defensive end off the bench behind Tobi Osunsanmi and Stephen Daley. It credited Wyatt with seven quarterback pressures over the previous three games and identified Josh Burnham and Daniel Ndukwe as players likely to receive more snaps in his absence.

Chandler has 11 catches for 131 yards and four touchdowns this season. He played no offensive snaps against Michigan, 247Sports reported. The Herald-Times said he had been competing for Indiana’s third receiver role alongside Tyler Morris and Shazz Preston. Cignetti said no player had established himself in that spot, telling the paper he was ‘still kind of waiting for one guy to separate themselves.’

Sanks, a backup safety who also plays on special teams, remains questionable on the initial report, 247Sports reported. Indiana and Minnesota are scheduled to play Saturday, Oct. 31, at 3:30 p.m. Eastern in Bloomington.