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Indiana Linemen Daley, Wyatt Can Play Again After Judge Grants Injunction
Confirmed
In Short: Indiana Hoosiers defensive linemen Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt can now play again after a judge granted them a preliminary injunction in their case against the NCAA.
The ruling, issued by Monroe Circuit Court Judge Kara Krothe, clears the way for Daley and Wyatt to resume their college careers.
Daley and Wyatt had been sidelined since their temporary restraining order expired last week, leaving them ineligible for Indiana's first two games of the 2026 season.
The judge's decision also applies to more than 90 other athletes involved in the lawsuit against the NCAA.
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti has repeatedly expressed support for Daley and Wyatt's efforts to secure an extra year of eligibility.
Daley, a fifth-year senior from Winchester, Virginia, had six tackles, including a tackle for loss, in Indiana's first two games this season.
Wyatt made an appearance in Indiana's Week 2 win over Howard but did not record a tackle this season.
Daley suffered a knee injury during the celebration following the Hoosiers' 13-10 victory against Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game and missed three College Football Playoff games.
Daley played 13 games last season, finishing with 38 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.
The ruling means that Daley, Wyatt, and dozens of other plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the NCAA should remain eligible until their case concludes.
What this adds
The ruling by Judge Kara Krothe provides a significant boost to Indiana's defense as they enter Big Ten play.
The decision could have broader implications for other athletes involved in similar legal disputes with the NCAA.
What's confirmed
- Monroe Circuit Court Judge Kara Krothe issued a preliminary injunction on Wednesday that grants Daley, Wyatt and more than 90 other athletes a fifth year of eligibility.
- Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti repeatedly has said he supported the efforts of Daley and Wyatt to get an extra year of eligibility, and he alluded to it again after last weekend's game.
- Colorado District Judge Charlotte Sweeney then ruled some members from that freshman class could receive fifth year of eligibility, a decision that led some players in NFL training camps to consider resuming their college careers.
- An Indiana state court has opened the door for Indiana Hoosiers defensive linemen Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt to return to the playing field for Friday night's Big Ten Conference opener against Northwestern.
- For now, though, the ruling clears the way for Daley, Wyatt and dozens of others to return to action.
- Daley and Wyatt were starters on last season's national championship team but suffered season-ending injuries before Indiana's playoff run.
- Indiana defensive linemen Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt are eligible to play again after a judge granted them a preliminary injunction in their case against the NCAA.
What's still developing
- An Indiana judge granted a preliminary injunction Wednesday that clears the way for a pair of Indiana defensive linemen to return to the field.
- As the Hoosiers prepare to begin Big Ten play on Friday night against Northwestern, they rank No. 6 nationally in total defense.
- Indiana linemen Daley, Wyatt can play again after judge grants injunction | ESPN La Crosse 105.5 You are using an outdated browser.
- Monroe Circuit Court Judge Kara Krothe ruled Wednesday that Daley and Wyatt, along with a list of dozens of other athletes that includes Miami men's basketball player Malik Reneau, could play a fifth season of college sports following the NCAA's implementation of the five-for-five rule this summer.
- Daley and Wyatt returned to the Hoosiers in early August, but their status with the defending national champions had been in limbo after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit on Aug. 21 granted the NCAA's motion to overturn a lower court's ruling that permitted another season of eligibility to all class of 2022 athletes who had been excluded from the new five-for-five rule.
- Indiana’s defense is getting two important pieces back just in time for Big Ten play.
- Both players are back from the knee injuries that ended their 2025 seasons, but they have had to prepare without knowing whether they would be allowed to play.
- For Indiana, this legal fight matters because of what it could mean on the field.
- Daley and Wyatt were both key members of the Hoosiers’ defensive line last season before knee injuries cut their seasons short.
- Wyatt’s season ended much earlier, but he was productive before the injury.