Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke underwent surgery on his right thumb Monday and could return sooner than previously expected, ESPN reported Tuesday. The 13th-ranked and unbeaten Hoosiers (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) announced that Rourke was out "indefinitely" after he sustained the injury in Saturday's 56-7 rout of Nebraska. Backup Tayven Jackson is expected to start Saturday's home game against Washington (4-3, 2-2) but "there's now optimism" that Rourke could be back for the Nov. 2 game at Michigan State, per ESPN. Rourke suffered the injury to his thumb in the second quarter when his throwing hand struck the helmet of a Cornhuskers player.
Report: Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke has thumb surgery
