From 247.
MADISON, Wis. — Based on the updates interim head coach Jim Leonhard (https://247sports.com/Player/Jim-Leonhard-76177) provided Thursday, the Wisconsin Badgers' pregame injury report won't be as crowded on Saturday.
The most notable player who could return to the lineup against the Purdue Boilermakers is redshirt freshman right tackle Riley Mahlman (https://247sports.com/Player/Riley-Mahlman-46053457). He hasn't played since suffering a left leg injury in a Week 1 victory over Illinois State.
Additionally, Leonhard said nickel cornerback Cedrick Dort (https://247sports.com/Player/Cedrick-Dort-85671) and inside linebacker Jake Chaney (https://247sports.com/Player/Jake-Chaney-46085913), both of whom missed last week's 34-28 loss to Michigan State, have been cleared from head injuries. Leonhard also believes fullback Jackson Acker (https://247sports.com/Player/Jackson-Acker-46083580) will return from his head injury.
"We're getting some health," Leonhard, speaking on a Zoom call, said. "We're getting some guys back, which we need. That will help create some depth on game day."
Kicker (https://247sports.com/Player/Vito-Calvaruso-46098803)Vito Calvaruso (https://247sports.com/Player/Vito-Calvaruso-46098803) (right leg), running back (https://247sports.com/Player/Chez-Mellusi-87773)Chez Mellusi (https://247sports.com/Player/Chez-Mellusi-87773) (right arm), defensive end (https://247sports.com/Player/Isaiah-Mullens-92598)Isaiah Mullens (https://247sports.com/Player/Isaiah-Mullens-92598) (right leg), tight end (https://247sports.com/Player/Hayden-Rucci-46039102)Hayden Rucci (https://247sports.com/Player/Hayden-Rucci-46039102) (right leg), outside linebacker (https://247sports.com/Player/Aaron-Witt-46056512)Aaron Witt (https://247sports.com/Player/Aaron-Witt-46056512) (left leg), safety (https://247sports.com/Player/Hunter-Wohler-46082320)Hunter Wohler (https://247sports.com/Player/Hunter-Wohler-46082320) (left leg), backup quarterback (https://247sports.com/Player/Chase-Wolf-92610)Chase Wolf (https://247sports.com/Player/Chase-Wolf-92610) (right leg) and safety (https://247sports.com/Player/Preston-Zachman-46079340)Preston Zachman (https://247sports.com/Player/Preston-Zachman-46079340) (right arm) have been ruled out for UW's home matchup this week against Purdue. None of them played against Michigan State, and Calvaruso, Mullens, Rucci, Witt, Wohler and Wolf have missed multiple weeks.
Leonhard has noted multiple times recently that the Badgers could get even healthier after their idle week, which follows the Purdue game. Wohler, a sophomore who started in Week 1, could make his return at some point in November.
"He's getting closer," Leonhard said last week. "He's doing significantly more in his rehab. It's probably a situation where it's going to be closer to the bye week, whether it's before or after. We want to do right by him. When he's available, he'll be able to contribute for us. We're excited to get him back. It's just not quite that time yet."
Mellusi, UW's No. 2 running back, will miss at least another game with the wrist injury he suffered in a 42-7 victory over Northwestern two weeks ago. He has 223 rushing yards, 25 receiving yards and two touchdowns this season. Sophomore (https://247sports.com/Player/Braelon-Allen-46086116)Braelon Allen (https://247sports.com/Player/Braelon-Allen-46086116) carried the load with 29 rushing attempts and 59 offensive snaps against the Spartans (https://247sports.com/college/wisconsin/Article/Wisconsin-Badgers-football-Braelon-Allens-workload-increased-without-Chez-Mellusi-Jim-Leonhard-Bobby-Engram-Julius-Davis-Brady-Schipper-Isaac-Guerendo-195737898/). Fifth-year senior (https://247sports.com/Player/Isaac-Guerendo-46042147)Isaac Guerendo (https://247sports.com/Player/Isaac-Guerendo-46042147) logged seven offensive snaps.
Mahlman started against Illinois State and has slowly worked his way back. Third-year sophomore Trey Wedig (https://247sports.com/Player/Trey-Wedig-46048454) has started each of the last four games in his place. Logan Brown (https://247sports.com/Player/Logan-Brown-45572566), dismissed from the program last week, started the first two games Mahlman missed (Washington State and New Mexico State).
Leonhard also said Tyler Beach (https://247sports.com/Player/Tyler-Beach-86162) should be available to play more snaps against Purdue after a minor injury limited his availability against the Spartans. Tanor Bortolini (https://247sports.com/Player/Tanor-Bortolini-46052092) has made two consecutive starts in place of Beach at left guard, and Michael Furtney (https://247sports.com/Player/Michael-Furtney-46035801) filled in at right guard, where Bortolini had been starting.
It's not yet clear how the line will look going forward with Mahlman and Beach returning.
The Badgers (3-4) and Boilermakers (5-2) kickoff at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.