BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football fans hoping the team’s annual spring game next week will give them a clear picture of what the roster will look like in 2026 might be disappointed.
As the Hoosiers barrel towards the end of spring practice, coach Curt Cignetti told reporters on Thursday that there’s a growing number of players sidelined with various injuries. He’s mentioned a handle of specific names, including starting left tackle Carter Smith and wide receiver Charlie Becker.
They haven’t been alone in the trainer’s room.
“We will look a lot different in the fall,” Cignetti said. “You know we got a number of guys not practicing , 17 total.”
Cignetti attributed the injury issues to a combination of factors starting with Indiana’s grueling postseason run. Indiana also signed a handful of players that arrive in Bloomington either recovering from or in need of offseason surgery.
There’s been other minor issues that have popped up in recent weeks — Becker’s hamstring issue is at the top of the list — but Cignetti made sure to point out some good news.
“We’ve had a couple more little minor things during spring ball than we normally do, but nothing serious,” he said.
The other upside for Indiana is the opportunity to build out depth at a handful of key positions. Redshirt freshman Baylor Wilkin is holding down Smith’s left tackle spot with the first-team offense. Becker’s absence allowed Cignetti to get a better look at young receivers (LeBron Bond and Davion Chandler) working with expected starting quarterback Josh Hoover.
Cignetti is happy with the “quality work” everyone is getting in, even as the team relies on makeshift lineups that won’t necessarily get used much during fall camp.
“It’s a process,” Cignetti said. “What’s important is you come out of fall camp feeling good about your team, and then you’ve got to be able to handle success or setbacks and keep them focused week to week.”
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Why Indiana football will ‘look a lot different in the fall’
Reporting by Michael Niziolek, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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