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2014 Wisconsin fall camp: Updates on Derek Landisch, Badgers' injuries, Ice Bucket Challenge

Video from the Badgers' Ice Bucket Challenge and encouraging news about an important linebacker's health status for LSU.

By Jake Kocorowski
Jake Kocorowski

Madison, Wis. -- After having Thursday off, the Wisconsin Badgers returned to practice Friday for another pair of practices. With players such as linebackers Derek Landisch and Vince Biegel out of practice, valuable reps were distributed to the younger players. Head coach Gary Andersen noted the team seemed fresh and were excited for Saturday's Family Fun Day.

Injury updates

Landisch was on the field but did not participate in practice. Andersen told reporters Landisch is "walking around pretty good" but will not scrimmage Monday afternoon, though he seemed confident he would not miss much time on the field.

"I would be very, very surprised if he didn't play against LSU," Andersen said.

To supplement the position with Landisch's injury, sophomore Leon Jacobs will move inside and freshman T.J. Edwards will move outside to learn the "field" outside linebacker position as a back-up.

Andersen noted there were many "tweaks" and "bruises" but at the moment would not know any one that would be ruled out of the LSU game at the moment.

Among others who didn't practice were wide receivers Jazz Peavy, Robert Wheelwright, Jordan Fredrick, Connor Cummins. It appeared Krenwick Sanders and Michael Trotter had green, no-contact jerseys on.

Senior guard Dallas Lewallen came back to practice in the afternoon after missing the morning session with an illness.

No new news for safety/running back Vonte Jackson, though it does not seem promising. Andersen noted Jackson's knee is not where Vonte or the staff wants it to be, and they're taking a few days to evaluate and make the best decision for him.

"It's his call in the decision-making process," Andersen said, "and we're here to support him whichever way he decides to go."

Freshmen receivers heading to Houston

Andersen confirmed true freshmen wide receivers George Rushing, Krenwick Sanders, and Natrell Jamerson would be traveling to Houston after their impressive start to fall camp.

"Absolutely,there's no doubt about that," Andersen said.

"They will be there, and they will play."

That may leave Peavy and Wheelwright, both who have been injured for a good portion of camp, in danger of being left behind on the depth chart.

"If you've been out for that long, and you got three guys that have come in and competed the way they've competed, absolutely," Andersen said.

"Sooner or later, as bad it is to say, without the reps, and somebody is producing in front of you, then it's a natural progression. We're not believers in saying because somebody gets hurt, they lose their spot when they're injured, but those two young men never really had a spot.

"So they're in a position to compete for a spot and will remain in a position to compete, but they've got to get out on the field -- which they want to. It hurts them way worse than anybody else, I promise you."

Defense update

I saw in a couple of comments that people want to hear about those that are standing out. Outside of the injuries that have piled up in the linebacking corp, here are a few tidbits from Friday's afternoon session:

  • Sophomore cornerback Sojourn Shelton had a nice couple of nice defensive plays against Rushing and Alex Erickson
  • True freshman Derrick Tyndal had a couple of nice break-ups today
  • Senior defensive linemen ran down true freshman running back Taiwan Deal for a TFL. Sophomore linebacker Jack Cichy also made a nice stop against Deal during goal line sessions.
  • Saw another true freshman, Lubern Figaro (pronounced Fi-GAR-o) running with the first team defense alongside Mike Caputo. Also saw senior Peniel Jean work in some subpackages along with junior cornerback Devin Gaulden.

Badgers partake in Ice Bucket Challenge

After practice, a line of chairs were at the north end zone as many Badgers, including Andersen, to take the Ice Bucket Challenge.

For the past two weeks, celebrities and sports personalities have poured a bucket of ice water over their heads then challenged others within a twenty-four hour period to do the same or make a donation. Per the ALS Foundation official website, the foundation and its 38 chapters have received $4 million in donations between July 29 and August 12.

Notes

  • Per Andersen, if the season were to start today, senior wide receiver Kenzel Doe would be the primary kickoff and punt returner.
  • Andersen said at the moment that between 7-10 true freshmen will play this season.
  • Quarterback competition notes, which also includes Andersen saying he was not ready to name a starter before Monday's scrimmage:
  • AM practice notes per Twitter:

  • The Big Ten Network was in town. Here's some of their thoughts:

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