IU football WR Donaven McCulley hurt in FIU win, 'wasn't medically cleared to go back in.'

BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football receiver Donaven McCulley didn't return to Saturday's game after suffering an injury in the first half of a 31-7 win over FIU .

McCulley got tackled up around his neck on a 9-yard gain early in the second quarter. He was slow to get off the field and taken for evaluation in the team's medical tent on the sideline. He came out of the tent holding his helmet, but never re-entered the game.

"He wasn't medically cleared to go back in," Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said.

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Cignetti didn't offer any specifics about McCulley's injury.

Indiana came into the game with a handful of players expected to miss the season. The team's pregame availability report confirmed defensive back Josh Philostin, defensive lineman Andrew Depaepe and offensive linemen Vince Fiacable and Nick Kidwell won't play in 2024 .

Cornerback JoJo Johnson, receiver E.J. Williams Jr. and tight end Brody Kosin were all listed as out for this week on IU's availability report.

Indiana started Elijah Sarratt, Myles Price and Omar Cooper Jr. at receiver Saturday, but McCulley entered the game for Cooper on the second series. Price led IU with four receptions while Cooper had the most receiving yards (45).

Offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan told reporters during fall camp his goal this season was to spread out the reps and play much of that group around 40-45 snaps a game.

McCulley led IU in most major receiving categories last year including receptions (48), yards (644) and touchdowns (six). He entered the transfer portal after Tom Allen was fired, but ended up staying in Bloomington despite heavy interest from a number of Power Four teams, including Florida State.

During fall camp, McCulley said Cignetti's tough love approach was making him a better player.

“I told him (Cignetti) to coach me hard and do what you got to do,” McCulley said. “Him getting me on this spring and challenging kind of helped me really learn how he operates and the team operates. I took the initiative to really get into the playbook more and try to master the playbook."

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here .

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IU football WR Donaven McCulley hurt in FIU win, 'wasn't medically cleared to go back in.'