Indiana Football: Senior OL Coy Cronk will have surgery, out for season

Bloomington, Ind. — Although the Hoosiers managed to muster up one of their more impressive wins last Saturday, the day was overshadowed by the potential loss of senior left tackle Coy Cronk. During today’s press conferences with Tom Allen, it was announced that Coy Cronk would undergo surgery for his “serious” lower leg injury this week and that he will be unavailable for the remainder of the season.

Coy Cronk, unfortunately, as many of you saw, during the game experienced a lower leg injury that was serious, so he’ll be having surgery this week and he’ll be out for the season. And not career ending so he’ll be, he’ll be, he’ll bounce back, but just tough break for him and love that guy just everything he brings to our program and has brought to our program and one of our captains, one of our leaders.

Indiana Head Coach Tom Allen on Coy Cronk’s injury

For the Hoosiers, this creates an important problem for Tom Allen to figure out right away. Immediately after the injury took place, redshirt sophomore Caleb Jones moved over to Cronk’s left tackle opening, and fifth year OL DaVondre Love backfilled the right tackle slot. True-freshman Matthew Bedford also saw minutes later in the game.

Tom Allen emphasized in the UConn post-game press conference that the expectation is Bedford will not be redshirting this year under the circumstance that Cronk is out for the season.

Coy Cronk has started in all games that he has played in and he has only missed one game during his Indiana career due to an injury. Cronk set a freshman record by starting all 13 games as a true freshman offensive lineman, and he earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors from ESPN and BTN that season. The Lafayette Central Catholic High School graduate has played in a total of 40 career games with the Hoosiers.

Since Coy has only played in four games this season, he is still potentially eligible for a redshirt. If he is able to return, he has an opportunity to play one final season of collegiate football.

"It's way too far from my heart to kill me."

That's what @IndianaFootball captain @CoyCronk told Tom Allen, on the field, about his season-ending leg injury. pic.twitter.com/HW2wVMnlOD

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 23, 2019

Game ball goes to @CoyCronk!! Leading our team with everything he has. pic.twitter.com/9bES6ympah

— Coach Tom Allen (@CoachAllenIU) September 21, 2019

Minor setback!! Proud of my teammates who played their hearts out thank you to Hoosier nation for the support

— Coy Cronk (@CoyCronk) September 21, 2019