Wisconsin football: Injury list adding up for Badgers

MADISON — Whoooo boy, Saturday’s game could be interesting.

Wisconsin released its injury report on Monday, five days before the No. 11 Badgers host the No. 7 Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Taking on yet another Top-10 team (its fifth of the year), UW could be spread thin at multiple positions.

Wisconsin announced earlier on Monday that redshirt junior inside linebacker Jack Cichy will miss the remainder of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. That leaves either former walk-on Ryan Connelly and redshirt junior Leon Jacobs to pick up the slack in the energetic backer’s absence.

The defense will also be without sophomore nose guard Olive Sagapolu (right arm) for the second consecutive game. In the absence of the 340-pound anchor in the middle of the unit against Iowa on Saturday, Conor Sheehy and Garrett Rand split reps at nose guard and contributed to holding a Hawkeyes offense averaging 180 rushing yards per game to only 83. Sheehy is currently listed as the No. 1 nose guard on this week’s depth chart. Nebraska currently averages 211.4 yards rushing per game.

Several other defensive players are listed as questionable, most notably junior cornerbacks Derrick Tindal (right leg) and Natrell Jamerson (left leg), the latter upgraded from out since the Georgia State game.

Tindal suffered the injury in Saturday’s 17-9 win against Iowa. Junior Lubern Figaro and redshirt freshman Titus Booker stepped in admirably, helping the Badgers hold the Hawkeyes to just 153 passing yards. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong and the Huskers’ passing attack average 236 yards per game in their seven wins this season.

Outside linebacker Zack Baun (left leg) and true freshman inside linebacker Griffin Grady (left shoulder) are listed as questionable but still on the depth chart as reserves.

The offense seems relatively healthy outside of right tackle Jacob Maxwell. The redshirt sophomore has a right shoulder injury and is listed as questionable. If Maxwell can’t go on Saturday night, expect redshirt freshman and converted tight end David Edwards to be inserted into the ever-evolving offensive line. Edwards saw game action at right tackle against Ohio State and Iowa.