Wisconsin’s latest team photo answered one question about Jaylon Domingeaux and raised a few more.
The transfer wide receiver, who is expected to play a major role for the Badgers this season, was visible in the picture wearing what appeared to be a cast wrapped in an ace bandage. The covering looked designed to protect his fingers, with only the thumb exposed. For fans who had already noticed he had not been as involved in practice, the photo at least explained why he has been limited.
At the same time, it also leaves his status murky. Luke Fickell and Wisconsin have not said anything publicly about the injury, so there is still no clear read on how serious it is.
An optimistic view would be that it is simply a precaution and that Domingeaux will be back in short order. A more cautious take is that the cast points to a longer absence.
For now, the truth seems to sit somewhere in between.
What is clear is that his availability for Week 1 is now very much in question. No.
4 Notre Dame comes to town on September 6th, and Wisconsin would obviously like to have as many pieces in place as possible when the season opens. Domingeaux had been competing for one of the starting boundary receiver jobs, but this injury could keep him out of that matchup altogether.
The photo also helps explain why other receivers have been getting more opportunities with the first group. Shamar Rigby and Kash Brock have been taking more reps with the ones, and that lines up with Domingeaux’s reduced practice involvement.
If Wisconsin has to wait on him, the Badgers still have options. Eugene Hilton Jr., Tyrell Henry, Chris Brooks Jr., and Shamar Rigby are the names expected to carry the load around Colton Joseph. That’s a group with plenty of play-making ability, and it gives Wisconsin some cushion in a spot where a fall camp injury could have been far more damaging.
For now, though, the photo has done the talking. Whether it was an intentional clue or just a byproduct of the team picture, Domingeaux’s cast makes one thing obvious: there are still more questions than answers.
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