:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47311684/usa-today-8826690.0.jpg)
Wisconsin running back Corey Clement traveled to Munich, Germany, earlier this week for a specialized operation on his sports hernia injury, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Jeff Potrykus.
Clement was scheduled to meet with Dr. Ulrike Muschawek, the chief surgeon and founder of the Hernia Center in Munich. According to Potrykus, it is the largest facility in Europe that specializes in abdominal and groin-area hernias.
ESPN Wisconsin's Zach Helprin added additional details on Wednesday, reporting that freshman linebacker Nick Thomas also saw Muschawek in Munich early last month. Thomas, an early enrollee from the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., took part in spring practice and gained first-team reps while other linebackers were sidelined, but eventually sustained his sports hernia. Thomas has yet to return to practice.
The Badgers announced Clement would have sports hernia surgery on Sept. 24, two days before their non-conference finale against Hawaii. UW's timetable was four to six week's for Clement's return; if his overseas operation goes as planned, he could optimistically return for the Oct. 31 game against Rutgers at Camp Randall Stadium.
| Wisconsin's remaining schedule | ||
|---|---|---|
| DATE | TIME (CT) | OPPONENT |
| Oct. 3 | 11 a.m. | Iowa |
| Oct. 10 | 2:30 p.m. | at Nebraska |
| Oct. 17 | 11 a.m. | Purdue |
| Oct. 24 | 2:30 p.m. | at Illinois |
| Oct. 31 | TBD | Rutgers |
| Nov. 7 | 2:30 p.m. | at Maryland |
| Nov. 21 | TBD | Northwestern |
| Nov. 28 | TBD | at Minnesota |
One final, interesting note on Clement's trip abroad: UW officials have not confirmed it, but senior associate athletic director Justin Doherty did explain how an athlete's family wouldn't face "out of pocket" expenses in a situation like Clement's. From Potrykus' report:
"The NCAA Division I Manual states the following from bylaw 16.4: 'An institution, conference or the NCAA may provide medical and related expenses and services to a student-athlete.'
"That bylaw obviously leaves each individual institution the latitude to handle these types of expenses in a manner that best fits the institution's means and philosophies.
"In our case, we operate as follows. For any student-athlete who sustains an athletics-related injury, our medical personnel (team doctors and athletic trainers) decide the best course of action for treating said injury.
"The student-athlete's primary insurance is used to pay for the expenses related to the treatment of the injury. Whatever portion of that treatment that is not covered by the student-athlete's primary insurance is then covered by the athletic department.
"That way there is no 'out of pocket' expense to the student-athlete or his/her family."
Notes
• Linebacker Leon Jacobs (toe) returned to practice on Wednesday and is on track to play on Saturday vs. Iowa.
• Offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph is hopeful tight end Troy Fumagalli (thumb) will play as well.
Links
Iowa, Wisconsin renew old-school rivalry with plenty of similarities | ESPN.com
Wisconsin RB Taiwan Deal's emergence could help save the season | ESPN.com
Wisconsin basketball adds former manager to roster
Generating big plays, converting on third down key focus areas for UW | Wisconsin State Journal
Blue on Red: A Badgers game day through the eyes of UW and Madison police officers | The Cap Times
Tyler Marz, Dan Voltz bringing UW offensive line up to speed | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Badgers must do better job against Iowa's efficient passing attack | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel