An already-shallow Northwestern team has suffered a major hit to its rotation.

Starting guard and second-leading scorer JerShon Cobb is out indefinitely with a right foot injury, coach Chris Collins said Saturday.

Cobb did not play in Saturday’s loss to Indiana but sat on the bench wearing a boot on his foot. Collins said he thinks the guard sustained the injury during Wednesday’s loss to Ohio State, when Cobb played 38 minutes. Collins said the foot swelled up afterward. The coach was not yet sure about the specific nature of the injury.

As for the duration of Cobb’s potential absence, Collins is unsure.

“He could possibly be back, he could possibly not be back,” the coach said. “If it calms down and the pain can be tolerated and there’s no further pain, he might be able to play. I just don’t know right now what his status is going to be.”

Cobb being sidelined meant increased playing time across the board, including freshman forward Nate Taphorn and junior guard Dave Sobolewski.

Taphorn logged 13 minutes, his highest total since Jan. 2. Sobolewski played 16 minutes, his first game over 10 since returning from injury Jan. 25.

If Cobb can’t play going forward, the Wildcats will have an even tougher time scoring than they have to date.

Collins has admitted that when healthy NU has only three players capable of scoring consistently. With Cobb out, more pressure falls on senior forward Drew Crawford and sophomore guard Tre Demps.

“It’s one less guy that can create his own shot,” Demps said. “(Cobb) takes a lot of load off of Drew and myself as the primary guys who are creating, so it’s a lot different.”

NU was also without senior forward Nikola Cerina, who was suspended for his involvement in a scuffle at Ohio State. With Cerina out, sophomore center Alex Olah, who is also battling ankle problems, was forced to play nearly the entire game.

At the postgame news conference, a reporter tripped and nearly fell on the way to his seat, prompting Collins to joke about the Cats’ fragility.

“We don’t need any more injuries,” he said. “We’ve got enough on the team.”

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