Injury Report: Illinois QB Luke Altmyer Out, Indiana Thin at Receiver, Defensive Back
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Indiana and Illinois have released pregame availability reports, and there are several notable names.
Illinois starting quarterback Luke Altmyer is inactive for today's game. He left last week's game against Minnesota in the fourth quarter and was replaced by Ball State transfer John Paddock, who will presumably start Saturday's game against the Hoosiers. Altmyer has a 64.8 completion percentage this season, along with 1,883 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Illinois will also be without running back Aidan Laughery, who has 13 carries this season. The Illini did not list any players questionable.
As for the Hoosiers, defensive backs Noah Pierre and Jamier Johnson, as well as wide receivers Cam Camper and Omar Cooper Jr. will not play in Saturday's game against Illinois.
Indiana coach Tom Allen announced Monday that Camper is out for the season after undergoing a procedure on his knee, related to his torn ACL last season. Camper led the Hoosiers in receiving yards in 2022. The Hoosiers will also be without redshirt freshman wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., who has 18 receptions for 267 yards and two touchdowns this year. Camper and Cooper are second and third among Hoosiers in receiving yards.
With these injuries, Indiana is a bit thin at receiver, but still has leading receiver Donaven McCulley, who has 387 yards and three touchdowns. Indiana will also rely on Clemson transfer E.J. Williams Jr., DeQuece Carter, Andison Coby and Jaylin Lucas in the passing game.
Pierre, a team captain and sixth-year senior who plays nickel cornerback, or Husky, is out for "an extended period of time," according to Allen. Johnson has only played two games for Indiana this season, but he was a starting cornerback for the Hoosiers early on.
Without Pierre and Johnson, Indiana will rely on defensive backs Kobee Minor, Jamari Sharpe, Nic Toomer, Jordan Shaw, Louis Moore, Josh Sanguinetti and others.
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