F28335 access EQEP1I and EQEP2I

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: TMS320F28335

We are using the eQEP module in the TMS320F28335 to interface two incremental encoders.  These encoders have a once per revolution index pulse.  I know that the eQEP module can latch the encoder counts on an index pulse edge, but is there a way for the application code to get the status of the index pulse signals?  I've read sprug05a.pdf (TMS320x2833x, 2823x Enhanced Quadrature Encoder Pulse (eQEP) Module) cover-to-cover and can't see how to expose the status of EQEP1I and EQEP2I to the application code.  That is, there does not appear to be a register which contains a bit to indicate whether or not the encoder read head is sitting on the index pulse.

Have I missed something?  Is it possible?

Alternatively, EQEP1I and EQEP2I are the same pins as GPIO53 and GPIO26 respectively.  Even though these pins are configured for use with the eQEP module (see below), is it still possible to read GPIO53 and GPIO26?

Thanks,
Michael