Wisconsin will have to find a way to shuffle in their rebuilt offensive line in the first game of the season. New offensive line coach Eric Mateos has built a deeper offensive line room, and he's going to have to immediately use it, as injuries in Wisconsin Fall Camp have come for two of the Badgers' linemen. Both Emerson Mandell and Kevin Heywood have been questionable all week to play.
According to Insider, Pete Thamel, Heywood is expected to play, but Mandell is not. However, no further details were given. If Heywood does play, is he able to play the whole way through, or will he also need to be on a pitch count? Mandell was the longer shot of the two, but will he be good to go next week? Who are the backups for each?
Sources: Wisconsin starting right tackle Kevin Heywood (lower body) is expected to play against No. 4 Notre Dame on Sunday, as his status had been uncertain heading into the game. Right guard Emerson Mandell (foot) is not expected to play for the Badgers. pic.twitter.com/NaFx0GicZn
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 6, 2026
Wisconsin will immediately need to turn to backups on the offensive line against Notre Dame
Related: Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame: Final odds and predictions for the Badgers 2026 opener
It's the first game of the season, and the Badgers are already looking at the depth chart and deciding who will be the next man up along the offensive line. That's not a great sign for a season in which Wisconsin needs to win and prove that Luke Fickell has turned this program around. He's in a make-or-break season, and every little thing is magnified. For this example, is there actually depth on the offensive line?
The offensive line is arguably the most important unit on the football field. It's also been a weak spot under Fickel, and it's led to quarterback injuries year after year. This year has to be different, but who is the next man up?
Who are the backups?
Well, the player behind Kevin Heywood, if he is on limited reps or if he aggravates anything in what is listed as a "lower-body injury," would be Lucas Simmons-Johansson. He's a former 4-star player who transferred to Wisconsin this offseason from Florida State.
As for Mandell, the Badgers immediately turn to Stylz Blackmon or Black Cherry. Both have had first-team reps in preparation for this game. Blackmon is the assumed player to get the nod. The good news for Wisconsin is that the depth is stronger in the guard spots than the tackle. Not to say that there isn't tackle depth; Simmons-Johansson seems to be solid, but there are some stud guards waiting for their turns.
Will Mandell be back soon? Yes, it does seem as if he's progressing from his injury, and all the reports indicate that he just needed one more week of recovery from his foot injury.
All of this is big news for the Badgers; having Heywood available is huge. While he didn't get a ton of practice this week, he should be a plug-and-play addition against Notre Dame.
The bad news for Wisconsin is that the strength of the Notre Dame defense is its defensive line. So, these Badgers, no matter which one is in, will need to find a way to hold up to the big boys along the Irish defensive line. It will be their greatest test all season, and it's the test straight out of the gate.
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