IU football wideout Donaven McCulley to miss week two vs Western Illinois

The IU football program will be without one of its key players on Friday night as Donaven McCulley is out against Western Illinois.

Early in the second quarter at the 9:35 mark in the season opener, McCulley was working on the left side of the field when he caught a nine-yard curl route. He dove down towards the first down marker when he took a hard hit to the back of his head and back area. There were no additional details to specific what the injury was, but it definitely appeared to be upper body.

He was clearly shaken up and made his way over to the sideline. He would head to the locker room and did not return in the second half.

McCulley finished with just one catch for nine yards. Following the game, IU head coach Curt Cignetti said that McCulley was not ‘medically cleared’ to return. He provided some additional info on Monday.

“I think we’ll have him back soon,” Cignetti said. “Right now I would say it’s more day to day … We got him in there, and he was playing fast, doing a nice job, and took a hit and was ruled out. He’ll be anxious to get back, and I’ll be anxious to get him back.”

McCulley was the leading receiver for IU football in 2023, totaling 48 receptions for 644 yards and six touchdowns.

Western Illinois has lost 25 straight games.

Kick is set for 7:00 pm on Big Ten Network.

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