Isaiahh Loudermilk, Zander Neuville among Badgers out vs. Western Kentucky

MADISON — The No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers released their preliminary Week 1 injury report on Sunday, with the team announcing defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk will miss the season opener against Western Kentucky on Friday.

Joining Loudermilk (left leg) as prominent Badgers designated as “OUT” are tight end Zander Neuville (right leg) and safety Patrick Johnson (head). Running back Bradrick Shaw (left leg) and defensive end Kraig Howe (right leg) will also not participate against the Hilltoppers.

With Loudermilk still working his way back from offseason surgery, redshirt freshmen Matt Henningsen and Kayden Lyles were listed as first-team defensive ends on Wisconsin’s depth chart on Sunday. With Neuville out, redshirt junior Kyle Penniston and redshirt freshman Jake Ferguson are the top tight ends in the two-deep.

In place of Johnson, who defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard mentioned as one of the three safeties to separate themselves from the position group during fall camp, Reggie Pearson and Eric Burrell are listed as the No. 2 strong safety and free safety, respectively.

In the practices open to the media, Wisconsin brought Shaw along slowly as he was working his way back from injury, so his designation as out is not surprising.

Now also listed as out for the rest of the season is true freshman outside linebacker Mason Platter (right leg).

Here is the full preliminary Week 1 injury report:

QUESTIONABLE

None

OUT

• DE Kraig Howe (right leg)
• S Patrick Johnson (head)
• DE Isaiahh Loudermilk (left leg)
• TE Zander Neuville (right leg)
• RB Bradrick Shaw (left leg)

OUT FOR SEASON

• OLB Mason Platter (right leg)
• DE Garrett Rand (right leg)
• DE Blake Smithback (right leg)