Kurtis Rourke injury update: Indiana football QB could return vs Michigan State | Report

Indiana football quarterback Kurtis Rourke received some good news about his return from injury following surgery, according to a report from the Indianapolis Star.

Zach Osterman reported on Tuesday that Rourke had surgery on his thumb on Monday, which has provided "optimism for a short recovery time." Rourke suffered the thumb injury near the end of the first half in a 56-7 win over Nebraska to continue the best start to the season for the Hoosiers (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) since 1967.

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While Rourke is still likely out this week when No. 13 Indiana hosts the defending national runner-up Washington Huskies, with ESPN's "College GameDay" making its first-ever appearance in Bloomington, Indiana, he could make his return sooner than initially expected. Reports Sunday pointed to an indefinite absence.

Here's what you need to know about Rourke's injury and the latest updates:

Kurtis Rourke injury update

Rourke, who has completed 135 of 181 passes (74.6%) for 1,941 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and three interceptions, could make a return as soon as next Saturday on Nov. 2, when the Hoosiers travel to East Lansing, Michigan, to take on Michigan State.

Backup quarterback Tayven Jackson is expected to start against the Huskies. When filling in for Rourke, he completed 7 of 8 passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns and added two rushes for 21 yards.

Indiana football went 3-9 last season but has seen vast improvement under first-year coach Curt Cignetti, who used the transfer portal ― including adding Rourke from Ohio ― to turn the program around.

Rourke has led an offense that ranks No. 1 nationally in scoring offense with 48.7 points per game. The Hoosiers' second half of the season features matchups against Michigan at home and a road matchup at No. 4 Ohio State. Indiana is also fifth in the country with 512. 7 yards of total offense per game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kurtis Rourke injury update: Indiana QB has thumb surgery | Report