:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69817144/usa_today_15337319.0.jpg)
Early Saturday morning, Wisconsin Badgers starting inside linebacker Leo Chenal posted on his Instagram Story that he will not be playing against Penn State today due to testing positive for COVID-19.
— Bucky’s 5th Quarter (@B5Q) September 4, 2021
Chenal is out for Saturday’s game vs. Penn State and will also miss next weekend’s game against Eastern Michigan. During Wisconsin’s media day, Chenal was asked if he was vaccinated and he declined to answer per Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
This is obviously a very big loss for the Badgers before a tough opening game against Penn State. The two main backups listed on the two deep are super senior Mike Maskalunas (who will probably get the start) and sophomore Tatum Grass.
Chenal started all seven games last year and ranked second on the team with 46 total tackles to go with 6.0 TFLs and a team-high 3.0 sacks. Chenal earned All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2020.