No. 2Indianawas dealt a cruel blow one quarter into its Big Ten Championship Game tilt against No. 1 Ohio State.
Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. Was sidelined by an apparent ankle injury during the early stages of the contest. The junior has been Heisman hopeful Fernando Mendoza's favorite target thus far, entering Saturday's game with a team-high 804 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Any extended absence would prove devastating for Curt Cignetti's attack, particularly against a defense of the Buckeyes' caliber.
With that, here's the latest on Cooper's injury and status going forward.
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Omar Cooper Jr. Injury update
Cooper limped off the field partway through the first quarter with an apparent ankle injury.
Fox's Jenny Taft reported that Cooper was questionable to return after suffering the ailment. He was briefly examined in the blue medical tent before being escorted to the locker room. As he walked into the tunnel, he sported a noticeable hobble.
Omar Cooper Jr. Is questionable to return, per @JennyTaft ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6nsUDOAyNP
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 7, 2025
What happened to Omar Cooper Jr.?
Cooper sustained the ailment while attempting to reel in a deep pass from Mendoza partway through the first quarter. Taft reported that Indiana's medical personnel took a look at his right knee and right ankle in the medical tent. He eventually made his way into the locker room, ambling down the sideline as he disappeared into the tunnel.
In the second quarter, Cooper returned to the sideline. His calf was covered in a sleeve, per WIUX's Ian Plaskoff.
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Indiana WR depth chart
| Position | Player Name |
| 1 | Omar Cooper Jr. |
| 2 | Elijah Sarratt |
| 3 | E.J. Williams |
| 4 | Charlie Becker |
| 5 | Jonathan Brady |
| 6 | Lebron Bond |
| 7 | Davion Chandler |
If Cooper were to miss significant time, audiences should expect seniors Elijah Sarratt and E.J. Williams to get some more looks. Sarratt was the Hoosiers' second-leaving receiver, tallying 48 catches for 650 yards and 11 scores in Indiana's first 12 games of the season. Sarratt wasn't too far behind, amassing more than 400 yards and five touchdowns.
Other players who could see increased time are Charlie Becker (20 catches, 389 yards, two touchdowns), Jonathan Brady (12 catches, 95 yards, three touchdowns) and Lebron Bond (five catches, 49 yards). Tight end Riley Nowakowski (23 catches, 296 yards, two touchdowns) also would figure to take on a more prominent role in Cignetti's attack.
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Omar Cooper Jr. Season stats
- 58 catches (first on Hoosiers)
- 804 receiving yards (first on Hoosiers)
- 11 receiving touchdowns (tied first on Hoosiers)
- 13.9 yards per catch
- 3 rushes
- 74 rushing yards
- 1 rushing touchdown