The first Wisconsin vs. Rutgers injury report of the week brought plenty of bad news, and Rutgers may be the team taking the bigger hit.
This matchup already carries plenty of weight for both sides. Wisconsin is trying to bounce back after getting shut out by Iowa last week, while Rutgers is still searching for any kind of traction this season. But the injury list adds another layer, especially for the Scarlet Knights, who have five notable names showing up on the report.
Wisconsin has one especially alarming development of its own: Kevin Heywood is doubtful. That matters because the Badgers are already piecing together their offensive line.
Austin Kawecki is in a cast and unable to snap the ball, so he has been shifted to guard. Barrett Nelson has also been out over the last couple of weeks, and he is doubtful again.
Losing Heywood would force Wisconsin to keep shuffling bodies and could push the group even deeper into players who have not logged meaningful snaps.
Rutgers, though, is dealing with even more trouble on offense. The Scarlet Knights have already ruled out starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan, who also missed last week against Michigan.
AJ Surace filled in, and Rutgers did not get the kind of production it needed. Surace finished 3/10 for 123 yards and a touchdown, but that line was boosted by a Jourdin Houston catch that went for 80 yards and a score.
Without that play, Surace was 2/9 for 43 yards.
The problems do not stop there for Rutgers. Kobe Asamoah is out, and that is a major loss because he starts at right guard and is one of the few true NFL prospects on the roster. Tyler Needham, the starting left tackle, is doubtful as well, which leaves Rutgers in a rough spot up front.
There is also uncertainty at receiver, where KJ Duff is doubtful. He leads Rutgers in catches, yards and receiving touchdowns, and none of those categories is particularly close.
It is the kind of injury report that can reshape a game before it even kicks off. Both teams still have more reports to submit this week, and the doubtful tags will be worth watching as the game gets closer.
In Other News...
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That uncertainty has made Rutgers harder to project, even with playmakers like Raheem Blackshear and Bo Melton drawing attention when available. Meltons status remains unclear because of injury, which only adds to the sense that Wisconsin is catching an opponent still searching for answers on offense. [Read more 🡒]