Curt Cignetti Optimistic About Indiana Quarterback Kurtis Rourke’s Injury

As Indiana prepares for Michigan State on Saturday, coach Curt Cignetti said quarterback Kurtis Rourke’s workload will increase this week as he deals with an injured thumb.

Quarterback Kurtis Rourke (9) throws the ball before Indiana's game against Western Illinois at Memorial Stadium. / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana coach Curt Cignetti shared a positive update on Monday regarding injured quarterback Kurtis Rourke.

Rourke did not play in Saturday’s 31-17 win over Washington due to a thumb injury suffered on Oct. 19 against Nebraska, but he’s progressing in his recovery.

“Optimistic on Kurtis Rourke,” Cignetti said Monday. “He’s thrown the last few days, building up, workload will increase as the week goes on.”

ESPN's Pete Thamel said Saturday on College GameDay that Rourke had two small screws put in the top of his thumb, and he's expected to attempt to come back against Michigan State.

"Considering Kurtis Rourke had thumb surgery on Monday, the situation couldn't have played out better," Thamel said Saturday.

Rourke suffered a thumb injury late in the second quarter against Nebraska. He finished out the half before being replaced by Tayven Jackson, who played the entire second half against Nebraska and the full game against Washington State.

In his first start of the season, Jackson completed 11 of 19 passes for 124 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also ran the ball six times for 17 yards and a touchdown.

“There was good and bad. He's got to build on the good and eliminate the bad,” Cignetti said Monday of Jackson’s performance. “He'll have a good film session with Coach Sunseri this evening. Like everybody else, better, worse, never stay the same. Need to be better tonight in the walk-through.”

If Rourke is able to play Saturday against Michigan State, Indiana will get back one of college football’s top quarterbacks. Rourke ranks first nationally in ESPN’s total quarterback rating (91.6) and third in completion percentage (74.6%). He has thrown 15 touchdowns to just three interceptions and totaled 1,941 yards on 181 attempts.

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