Wisconsin Football Injury Update for Week Three

An injury update in advance of Wisconsin football’s first road trip of the season to Provo, Utah

The latest injury update for Wisconsin football has some concerning news for the Badgers.  The offensive line could have some challenges on the interior at both guard spots.

The latest word is that starting OG Jon Dietzen is out for Saturday’s game.  In addition, the other starting OG Beau Benzschawel gets the dreaded questionable tag.

As a result, Wisconsin will possibly be starting two second string options inside on the offensive line.  That could change the offense a bit without the preferred pairing at the guard position.

With Dietzen out, it looks like redshirt junior Micah Kapoi could get the start at LG.  Kapoi is is fairly experienced for a backup offensive lineman.

He’s played in 25 total games including 12 starts.  Of those starts, eight came at LG and four at RG.  At 6-feet-3-inches and 326 pounds he certainly is what Wisconsin typically employs in terms of size.

Next: Who will be Quarterbacking the BYU Cougars on Saturday

If Benzschawel can’t go, redshirt sophomores Jason Erdmann or David Moorman are the next men up.  Both guys played in every game last year but neither has started for Wisconsin.  So on the road against BYU would be quite the way to earn your first starting job.

So how might a, wait-for-it, changing of the guards (#slay), change the Badger offense?

The Badgers of course love to run the ball inside between the A-gap (between the OG and C).  In addition, Wisconsin of course pulls the guards around to pave the way on select run plays.

So that puts more pressure on the OG to execute.  The backups may not have had as many practice reps to work with the regular starters on communication and timing.

You can expect BYU will take note and test the new faces up front in both run defense and the pass rush.  It’s certainly an incentive for BYU to get creative with its defensive play calls.

Notably, there really aren’t any surprises on the list.  RB Bradrick Shaw is still questionable which is where he was at last week.  But otherwise, really no change from where we started the Badger season.

Next: Wisconsin Football Forecast Week Three

But the differences on the offensive line is of course the main takeaway from the week three Wisconsin football injury update.