Sources: Indiana QB Rourke has thumb surgery

• Pete Thamel, ESPNOct 22, 2024, 09:47 AM ET

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  College Football Senior Author for ESPN. Insider for College Gameday.The timeline

to return for hurt Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke is coming into focus, as sources told ESPN that Rourke’s “prognosis has actually improved” after he went through surgery on his injured right thumb Monday.The effective surgery supplied some clarity on a prospective return, consisting of optimism that he could be back for Indiana’s game at Michigan State on Nov. 2. Rourke is still doubtful for No. 13 Indiana’s home game versus Washington on Saturday.Rourke has actually led Indiana

to a historic 7-0 start and amazingly ushered them into the discussion around the College Football Playoff.The school revealed that Rourke is out”forever “after he injured his thumb in a blowout win over Nebraska on Saturday. Rourke didn’t return for the second half of the 56-7 win after his hand hit the helmet of a Nebraska defender.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Indiana revealed Monday that Rourke was anticipated back at some point in the 2024 regular season. And there’s now optimism that could be for Michigan State, as IU closes with the Spartans, hosts Michigan, dips into Ohio State and then hosts rival Purdue to close the season.Rourke has actually been among the breakout stars of the 2024 season

, including entering the Heisman Trophy race as Indiana has become among the greatest surprises of the year.Rourke, a transfer from Ohio who remains in his sixth year of college football, has actually completed 74.6 %of his passes in his very first year at IU. He’s thrown 15 goals, three interceptions and led an offense that ranks No. 1 nationally in scoring offense with 48.7 points per game.Rourke moved to Indiana to play for first-year coach Curt Cignetti, one of 27 transfers

who’ve totally flipped the understanding of Indiana football. IU went 3-9 last year.Overall, Indiana is No. 5 in the country in total offense(512.7 lawns per game) and No. 5 in third-down conversion percentage(54.2%).

Indiana is 7-0 for the very first time considering that 1967. Backup quarterback Tayven Jackson is expected to start for Indiana against Washington, the sixth start of the redshirt sophomore’s profession.