Badgers Head Coach Luke Fickell At Practice - Photo by Wisconsin Badgers
MADISON, WI (WSAU) – The Wisconsin Badgers may be without two of their top offensive linemen when they begin their season against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish this weekend.
According to Evan Flood of Badger Blitz, right tackle Kevin Heywood and right guard Emerson Mandell may not play against #4 Notre Dame on Sunday night at Lambeau Field, as Mandell continues to rehab from a foot injury and Heywood works his way back from a torn ACL.
Head coach Luke Fickell spoke about their injuries and whether they’ll try to suit up for the primetime matchup, saying, “We don’t know. There’s still some time for us. Those guys have been back in some capacity, but I can’t tell you exactly where they are right now. That’ll be a little closer to a game-time decision. That’s the one spot, probably on the offensive line, this week, there’s going to be a lot of determining factors.”
According to 0n3 Sports, the Badgers’ new-look offense will have their hands full as Notre Dame’s defense opens the 2026 season ranked 2nd in the nation behind only Oklahoma, led by star defensive lineman Boubacar Traore, who headlines the 2026 Bednarik Award Watch List (Most outstanding defensive player) and the 2026 Nagurski Trophy Watch List.
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