Wisconsin football quarterback Graham Mertz has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.
In a report from Jeff Potrykus, it has been determined that Wisconsin football quarterback Graham Mertz has tested positive for COVID-19. He will need to take a second test to confirm since it could be a false-positive.
Apologies for the delay in answering questions from #Badgers fans about Graham Mertz testing positive for COVID-19. Have been working on the story for much of the day but we wanted to be certain. One positive test. Has to have a second test to confirm.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) October 25, 2020
Just two days ago, Mertz had a career debut for the Badgers. He completed 20-of-21 passes for 248 yards and five touchdowns and led the Badgers to a 45-7 win over Illinois to open up the season. After his big game, there was a lot of optimism for him and the Wisconsin football team this season.
With a favorable schedule, the Badgers have been the favorites to win the Big Ten West and face Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship for the second year in a row.
If Mertz’s second test is in fact positive, he will be required by Big Ten protocol to miss three games before he can come back. He will miss Wisconsin’s games against Nebraska, Purdue, and Michigan. Those are three big games that suddenly become a lot more daunting if the team has to go on without Mertz.
On a positive note, Potrykus also tweeted that have been false positives presumably within this Wisconsin football team.
The story was being handled for some time but have been told there have been a number of false positives....Not sure of result of PCR test yet.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) October 25, 2020
Sophomore quarterback Chase Wolf would be next in line, should Mertz miss time. Wolf competed with Mertz last season for the backup spot behind Coan. He got in at the end of the Illinois game, where he didn’t attempt a pass but ran the ball for a yard. Last season, he completed his lone passing attempt for two yards and ran it once for nine yards.
Hopefully, Mertz’s second test comes back negative, but if he is positive, it could spell bad news for this once-promising season.