Wisconsin returned to practice Wednesday morning for a quick hour-long session and saw a few players back on the field after dealing with injuries. The Badgers will also practice again Wednesday evening, but that session will be closed to media.
Back at practice -- it should be noted that the morning session was strictly special teams -- were three defensive linemen: junior defensive end and projected starter Arthur Goldberg (back), redshirt senior defensive end Jake Keefer (hip) and redshirt freshman nose tackle Jeremy Patterson (knee). Still out were a number of players, including a sizable portion of the banged-up offensive line: redshirt freshman Jake Maxwell (shoulder), sophomore Hayden Biegel (head), redshirt freshman Beau Benzschawel (knee) and freshmen Jon Dietzen (ankle) and Jason Erdmann (lower body).
Below is the full injury list from ESPN Madison's Zach Heilprin -- Wisconsin later confirmed that sophomore outside linebacker T.J. Watt just got a day off and will practice at night.
#Badgers just done practicing. Today's injury report: pic.twitter.com/Bs2PZ5qSL7
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) August 19, 2015
As for some other injury updates:
• Biegel could be back "in a couple days," Chryst said. Another contender at right tackle, Benzschawel, has the longest road back to the field among injured players, Chryst said. The injury is not considered season-ending, however.
• Leon Jacobs is "moving better" on his bad toe, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Jeff Potrykus. Jacobs injured his right foot in a blocking drill on Aug. 12.
Observations roundup
Below are some observations of Wednesday's morning practice from a number of Badgers writers. For more, check out B5Q's Badgers Twitter list.
Goldberg, Patterson and Keefer all returned to practice today, and Jon Dietzen was out of the boot. T.J. Watt was the only new absentee.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) August 19, 2015
It's certainly good to see Dietzen out of the boot, as the freshman impressed early on in camp and could push for playing time at left guard.
PC said after practice that Alex Erickson and Natrell Jamerson are the 'leaders in the clubhouse' for punt/kick return jobs. #Badgers
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) August 19, 2015
"Leaders in the clubhouse" certainly isn't set-in-stone, but it's interesting to see Paul Chryst name UW's top two returners at this point. Neither Erickson nor Jamerson has significant return experience at the college level; Erickson has none while Jamerson returned kickoff for 21 yards against Maryland as a freshman last season. At high school in Ocala, Fla., Jamerson returned two kickoffs for touchdown as a senior.
Another possible candidate: sophomore receiver George Rushing, who did not return any picks or punts last year but did get five rushes for 33 yards in addition to his five receptions for 62 yards.
Liked George Rushing on kickoff return today. Had some good cuts. #Badgers
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) August 19, 2015
#Badgers practice is done. Ends on a 46-yd FG from Rafael Gaglianone with the entire team trying to distract him.
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) August 19, 2015
All special teams for @Badgers this AM. Gaglianone closes with 46-yarder in face of music/screaming.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) August 19, 2015
The fan favorite has been perfect in the portions of camp open to reporters over these first two weeks, which is obviously great to see.
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