IU defensive tackle Darius Latham back from injury, has his work cut out for him

Media saw junior defensive tackle and North Central alum Darius Latham dressed for practice Monday morning. Wednesday, Wilson said Latham’s toughest task will be catching up to his teammates, after missing nearly two weeks of preseason work.

Latham was sidelined by a knee procedure at the end of Indiana’s summer workouts.

“I’d say the preparation side of it more than anything,” Wilson said. “He’s getting that knee back full speed. I think it’s kind of close.”

A fixture along Indiana’s defensive line in his first two seasons in Bloomington, Latham landed the No. 1 defensive tackle spot in the Hoosiers’ preseason two-deep. He started 10 times in 2014 and has played in all possible games to date, with 3 ½ sacks and 8 ½ tackles for loss in his career.

Wilson has regularly praised Latham’s work in the offseason, saying he slimmed down while gaining strength. Though he’s still limited in drill work, Wilson expressed optimism ahead of Latham’s junior season.

“When he goes, he looks full speed and looks good. I think we’re just trying not to overdo it,” Wilson said. “He’s in great shape. I’m looking forward to him having a tremendous year.”

INJURY NOTES

>> Wilson said freshman wide receiver and Carmel alum Isaac James has a cracked scapula (shoulder blade). It won’t require surgery but could sideline James long enough to force him to redshirt this season.

>> Ty Smith, a walk-on defensive back and the son of former IU baseball coach Tracy Smith, has a cracked vertebrae discovered during a scan of a more recent injury. “Don’t know if there will be a procedure, and he might be done playing,” Wilson said. “He might get into helping his coach right now.”

>> Freshman defensive backs Tyler Green and Andre Brown Jr. have been limited by minor injuries Wilson said weren’t overly serious.

Follow Star reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.