Badger of Honor
Fansided

Wisconsin Football Injury Report vs. Illinois Fighting Illini

By Steven Tondi

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Paul Chryst of the Wisconsin Badgers look on during warmups prior to playing the Michigan Wolverines on October 13, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Paul Chryst of the Wisconsin Badgers look on during warmups prior to playing the Michigan Wolverines on October 13, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Wisconsin Football
MADISON, WI – SEPTEMBER 01: Isaiahh Loudermilk (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

DE Isaiahh Loudermilk

Loudermilk will miss his second consecutive game after being forced to sit-out the Michigan game.  Kayden Lyles and Matt Henningsen played admirably but they just do not have the playmaking ability or game experience that Loudermilk has.  Loudermilk’s absence also had a significant impact on the depth of the defensive line.  In the third and fourth quarter, the defensive line was simply out of gas and did not have enough bodies or energy to shut down the run game.

The inability of the defensive line to play consistently has been a theme all year.  There are plenty of valid excuses to why they are not performing to the level of defensive lines in the past.  However, someone needs to step up and elevate their game.  Between Kayden Lyles, Matt Henningsen, and David Pfaff, they need to collectively match the production that Loudermilk provides.  Illinois has a good rushing attack and a stable of running backs who can make plays, if Wisconsin’s defensive line can’t hold up this game could become much closer than it should be.

CB Travian Blaylock

Travian Blaylock will miss another game as he is still dealing with an apparent leg injury.  If I was a betting man I would say that we have seen the last of Blaylock for the year.  He is clearly being impacted with a nagging injury that he just can’t seem to shake.  Being a true freshman, the coaching staff would be very careful in putting him back onto the field as he has a long, bright career ahead of him.

The new redshirt rule makes him a perfect candidate to retain this year of eligibility. There are current players ahead of him on the depth chart so it might be in his best interest to focus all of his attention on rehabbing his injury and coming back next year 100% ready to go.