Running back Thomas Hammock (heart condition) and wide receiver P.J. Fleck (hamstring injury), two-thirds of the NIU football team’s offensive captains, won’t see any more action this season.

Fleck is going to apply to the NCAA for a medical redshirt, while Hammock will be reevaluated in two months.

“Redshirting is always a possibility,” Hammock said. “When I get the decision from the doctors, I’ll take some time and see what’s the best course of action to take. I want to thank eveyone for their support. They’ve helped me deal with a real rough patch of my life.”

Hammock has been sidelined with an undetermined heart condition since the opener against Wake Forest, when he ran for 172 yards and two touchdowns.

Fleck has caught three passes for 29 yards in two games this season. He caught 59 passes for 732 yards and five touchdowns last season.

“Those two are probably two of our better leaders,” coach Joe Novak said. “They’re vocal; they’re enthusiastic; they’re positive. Not having them in there is a big thing leadership-wise.

On the other token, it’ll be great next year, when they’re back around again. With Thomas, we don’t know that for certain, but with P.J., hopefully he can come back and have the same enthusiasm.”

He’s back

Cornerback Vince Thompson, who hasn’t played in NIU’s last three games because of a knee injury, will return Saturday when the Huskies visit Ball State.

“I’m not quite certain he’s 100 percent yet, but he’s ready to play,” Novak said.

Thompson made the preseason Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, which goes to the nation’s top defensive player. He intercepted five passes last season, two of which he returned for touchdowns. In two games this season he collected 13 tackles.

“Vince is one of our playmakers,” Novak said. “That’s the thing we haven’t had defensively these last few weeks. We haven’t made interceptions; we haven’t gotten the fumbles.”

Looking good

The play of his defensive ends has satisfied Novak thus far.

“I think it’s as active a group of ends we’ve had since we’ve been here,” Novak said.

Travis Moore, Jason Frank and Vinson Reynolds have seen the majority of the playing time at the position. Curtis Crossley also has seen action in four games.

The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Moore has four sacks on the season, tied for first on the team with linebacker Larry Williams. Frank and Reynolds each have have two sacks while Crossley has one.

“Good high school linebacker,” Novak said of Moore. “We really liked his athleticism and we were hoping he would come in here and grow. He has; he’s gotten a lot stronger. He’s a very active defensive end.”