Despite his illness, he and Purdue (because it's the NCAA institution that makes the application) would not be able to apply for a medical hardship waiver. He played in too many games, and it wasn't season-ending.
There's chatter about a 5th year of eligibility going forward - haven't seen anything where that would be extended to players currently in their last year of eligibility.....but who knows? It's becoming a free-for-all anyway, sooner or later.
And now......back to our regularly scheduled programming - Get Off my Lawn, New Pal! I just planted that bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, featherbed bench and northern California sinsemilla hybrid mix.