Michigan State's Mark Dantonio mum on injuries heading into Indiana

Chris Solari
Detroit Free Press

EAST LANSING — Mark Dantonio remained his normally vague self in regards to Michigan State’s injury situation.

However, the 12th-year head coach said Tuesday that the bye week allowed the 23rd-ranked Spartans to mend for Saturday’s Big Ten opener at Indiana more than had they had a game last week.

“We'll see how it all shakes out,” Dantonio said. “But I will say yes, it helps.”

Oct 1, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA;  Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio walks his team onto the field before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium.

MSU heads to Indiana for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday (BTN). The Hoosiers (3-0) are coming off a 38-10 win over Ball State to close their nonconference schedule.

More:Michigan State football, Indiana locked in on Big Ten opener

There were not many changes to the depth chart, but that does not mean everyone is healthy.

Punter Jake Hartbarger suffered a leg injury in MSU’s 16-13 loss at Arizona State on Sept. 8 and will miss six to eight weeks. Redshirt freshman backup quarterback Rocky Lombardi is the Spartans’ first-string punter heading to Bloomington, Indiana.

“He's done a good job,” Dantonio said of Lombardi, who will be backed up by redshirt freshman kicker Tyler Hunt and true freshman walk-on punter William Przystup.

However, Dantonio did not give updates on a number of other starters who were hurt in the fi rst two weeks. That includes running back LJ Scott (leg), left tackle Cole Chewins (undisclosed) and left guard David Beedle (leg), who were injured at Arizona State, and defensive end Jacub Panasiuk (arm), who missed the trip after getting hurt in the opener against Utah State.

All four remain listed as starters. Chewins, who missed the Utah State game and was in for just one play at Arizona State, is still considered the co-starter with Luke Campbell at left tackle.

Dantonio also said Josiah Scott is not yet back working with the Spartans after suffering a left leg injury shortly after preseason camp began in early August. The timetable for the sophomore cornerback’s return was initially pegged at two months.

Saturday marks the third straight night game to open the season for the Spartans (1-1).

“You have an opportunity to look at really what happened in the (Arizona State) game and step back and deal with it. Then you also have a chance to get over it,” Dantonio said. “But usually the best way to get over a tough loss is to play another game. … I think our players have had an opportunity to sit on this and dwell on this a little bit, and they have also had time to step away from football for a day or so — we gave them that opportunity, as well.

“You know, I'm looking forward to watching our players play on Saturday night. That's all I can tell you.”

More:Michigan State football: Will offensive line be ironed out vs. Indiana

Center of change?

Junior Tyler Higby remains listed as the starting center on the Spartans’ depth chart after being replaced by sophomore Matt Allen in the second half at Arizona State.

However, Dantonio said who gets the start at Indiana likely will be a game-time decision.

More:Couch: Big Ten football mockery is lazy, spiteful and playoff-driven

LB shift

After Tyriq Thompson was left back in East Lansing for what Dantonio called “a situation” that involved being arrested for a misdemeanor noise violation, the junior has lost his starting job this week.

Sophomore Brandon Bouyer-Randle, who battled for the strong-side linebacker job during camp and got the start at Arizona State in Thompson’s absence, is atop the depth chart. Thompson is second, with senior Jon Reschke third.

Dantonio confirmed that Thompson would return at Indiana this week.

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari. Download our Spartans Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!