Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke underwent surgery on his right thumb Monday and could return sooner than previously expected, ESPN reported Tuesday.

The 13th-ranked and unbeaten Hoosiers (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) announced that Rourke was out "indefinitely" after he sustained the injury in Saturday's 56-7 rout of Nebraska.

Backup Tayven Jackson is expected to start Saturday's home game against Washington (4-3, 2-2) but "there's now optimism" that Rourke could be back for the Nov. 2 game at Michigan State, per ESPN.

Rourke suffered the injury to his thumb in the second quarter when his throwing hand struck the helmet of a Cornhuskers player. He did not return to the game, with Jackson taking over and finishing the blowout victory.

Rourke, 23, is in his first season at Indiana after starting the previous three years at Ohio. He has completed 74.6 percent of his passes for 1,941 yards with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions in seven starts for the Hoosiers, who lead the nation with 48.7 points per game.

--Field Level Media