The Wisconsin Badgers may be heading into Week 1 with a little more uncertainty than they wanted on the offensive side of the ball.
Wide receiver Jaylon Domingeaux is questionable for Sunday’s matchup with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. Nakos also reported that Kevin Heywood is questionable, while Emerson Mandell has practiced this week and is expected to be a game-time decision.
Wisconsin had already been managing injuries along the offensive line, and the team did not release a depth chart before the game. The Badgers also haven’t offered any official injury updates, which they are not required to do for a non-conference game until two hours before kickoff.
Domingeaux’s status matters because he was part of the group working with the first-team offense this fall. He rotated in at receiver alongside Chris Brooks, Tyrell Henry, Eugene Hilton, Shamar Rigby, and Malachi Coleman. If he’s unavailable, the others should see more snaps on the boundary.
The transfer receiver arrived from Southeastern Louisiana after posting 52 catches for 857 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He was the most experienced wideout transfer Wisconsin brought in this offseason and was expected to add a vertical element on the outside because of his size.
The line injuries carry even more weight for a Wisconsin offense trying to find early rhythm against one of the nation’s top defenses. The Badgers want to lean on the run game, with transfer running back Abu Sama III and quarterback Colton Joseph leading that effort, but that plan depends on better play up front.
If Heywood is unable to play, transfer Lucas Simmons-Johansson is the likely starter at right tackle. If Mandell is out, transfer Stylz Blackmon appears to be next in line at right guard.
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