Indiana basketball releases injury report ahead of matchup with Kennesaw State

The Indiana basketball program hits the hardwood for game number 13 of the 2023-24 season on Friday night and released its official injury report this afternoon.

The Big Ten began with its weekly availability report for football this season and announced that it would be conducting the same schedule with basketball. It was announced that programs will have to release their injury reports three hours before tip.

For Indiana, its injury report listed guard Xavier Johnson as questionable and Kel’el Ware as out.

This will be the first game Ware has missed this season. In 12 games, Ware is averaging a team-high 14.9 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. He is shooting 55.1 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent on 3s.

Ware has been tremendous through the first two months of the season. He has four double-doubles and 11 games with 10+ points. In two Big Ten games he is averaging 15.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.

There is no official update on what the injury is for Ware, but national college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman is reporting Ware is out due to Covid.

For Johnson, while he is listed as questionable, he’s not expected to play due to his foot injury.

Last week, Indiana basketball head coach Mike Woodson provided a bit of an update — and provided some clarity on the rehab process for Johnson.

“He’s still going to be out. I don’t know how long,” Woodson said. “He’s doing some work on the stationary bike and elliptical. He’s doing some work there. He’s not back out on the floor yet. Hopefully soon. We need our senior point guard back.”

Johnson exited Indiana’s win over Harvard nearly a month ago shortly before halftime. He tried warming up before the second half but was unable to go. He has missed the last six games since the second half of Harvard.

Johnson had been wearing a boot since the injury, but last week was the first time he appeared on the bench without one on. He is progressing with his on court work.

“Well, it’s been tough for him. I mean, you go back-to-back years where you’re not playing basketball. We went into this season expecting him to be on the floor. He’s not there,” Woodson said last week. “I know it’s tough on him. It’s tough on us. But we got to keep marching along based on who we got in uniform until he gets back. When that is, I don’t know yet. I just don’t.”

He is averaging 10.5 points, 2.3 assists and is shooting 48.6 percent from the field in six games this year.

Johnson, who played in just 11 games last season due to a broken foot, was fully healthy to begin this year.

Indiana basketball takes on Kennesaw State at 6:00 pm ET on BTN+ on Friday night.

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