Sudfeld referred to himself as day-to-day and believes he could theoretically be ready for Saturday without practicing throughout the week.

Wilson stated he does not view either injury as major, but does not like giving exact timelines because that can get in a player’s head if he does not meet that timeline.

“They play positions, but there’s no position you play that you don’t have to move,” he said. “We’re not going to put a kid out there that can’t play.”

Sudfeld initially hurt his ankle against Wake Forest and reaggravated it in the first half against Ohio State. He wanted to come back in later in the game, but Wilson didn’t think it was smart for him.

“We’re not going to push it,” Wilson said.

Now Sudfeld needs to prepare for a week of medical attention and possibly less practice time, but he still knows he has work to do, he said.

“It’s really going to be a lot of work to get those mental reps and make sure I’m on the same page with those guys,” Sudfeld said. “Physically, I need to make sure I’m with them as well.”

Still no word from Wilson on the status of Latham

Wilson was asked Monday if there was any update on the status of junior defensive lineman Darius Latham, who was suspended indefinitely last week pending a proceeding with the IU Office of Student Ethics.

Wilson did not want to comment on the situation and mentioned again the earlier press release that there would be no comment from the program.

Latham was on the field with the team in street clothes Saturday.

Defense trying to prevent big plays

The IU defense gave up three scoring plays of at least 55 yards against Ohio State on Saturday, and Wilson claimed there were 10 “explosive” plays throughout the game.

“Games are played in space now,” he said. “A lot of plays in what I call stress-free passing where the ball can go in space, and if one guy misses a tackle, there it goes.”

Wilson attributed many of the big run plays to miscommunication and incorrect alignments.

Second-year defensive lineman impressing

Wilson named redshirt freshman defensive tackle Michael Barwick as scout team defensive player of the week for his work in preparing the first team offense against Ohio State.

Wilson used Barwick as an example to explain the struggles many second-year players face.

Many players expect to redshirt as a freshman, Wilson said, but it gets harder in year two because they often still do not play and get frustrated.

But Wilson said he is encouraged by Barwick’s progress.

“He’s got a lot of football ahead of him, so it’s good to see,” Wilson said.

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