The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

SIU running backs banged up

This is where the emphasis on depth pays off.

After a season of almost perfect health, SIU has been hit with a plague of injuries, including two of its running backs.

Freshman fullback and standout punt returner Craig Turner, who is having knee problems, is doubtful Saturday against Indiana State. His 11.6 yards per carry average is expected to stay on the bench, and SIU leading rusher Arkee Whitlock is also a question mark. "This is as beat up as we've been all year," Kill said.

Luckily for SIU, that still leaves Brandon Jacobs and Terry Jackson. Jacobs, for sure, will not be suspended by the conference and could see a ton of carries if the injury situation gets worse.

Whitlock is practicing and could play, but Kill's not going to bet the farm on it. "He did practice, and he'll be a day-by-day thing," Kill said.

Seldom-used Antione Jackson, who has been spectacular in garbage time for SIU this season, may see some reps Saturday. At the end of Tuesday's practice Kill kept Jackson on the field for 10 to 15 minutes after the rest of the team was gone.

Kill wants him to be ready to play, if need be, and said this time of year is when the luxury of depth at running back comes into play.

"We're fortunate we got Terry Jackson and Antione Jackson," Kill said. "It's like I told my team, you may not think you're going to play, and all of the sudden, you could play. This time of year you're going to get banged up."

The rest of the team is also experiencing injury problems. Kill is taking it easy with All-American center Elmer McDaniel, who is still nursing an injury that started against Western Illinois.

Cornerback Brandon Bruner may be lost for the rest of the season after a hamstring injury suffered last week, though Kill is hoping he could be ready for the playoffs.

James Smith, who Kill called his best special teams player, is out with a hamstring injury, and safety Patrick Jordan is officially out for the season.

Despite all those injuries, SIU is still a heavy favorite against last-place Indiana State.

Although the coaches swear they are concentrated on Indiana State, the real injury story could be who is healthy for the playoffs.

No matter what happens Saturday, SIU will have a week off before the playoffs, and the team needs it desperately.

Kill is going to see who heals and take it from there.

"We're going to find out of we got enough depth to get through," Kill said.