Wisconsin QB Jack Coan to see foot specialist, Graham Mertz takes over first-team reps
Wisconsin is likely to have a first-time starting quarterback against Illinois in a few weeks.
Coach Paul Chryst confirmed Monday morning that senior Jack Coan went down with a foot injury at practice Saturday and is out indefinitely.
“He’s going to see a specialist, so we’ll know more in the coming days,” Chryst said. “We’ll find out what all that means.”
Coan started all 14 games last year for the Badgers, throwing for 2,727 yards, 18 touchdowns and just five interceptions. His pass efficiency rating of 151.8 was the fourth-best in school history, trailing only Russell Wilson (2011), Scott Tolzien (2010) and Darrell Bevell (1993).
“He’s incredibly unselfish. He cares about this team and doesn’t want anything to affect the team in a negative way,” Chryst said. “Obviously, the last thing any guy wants is to not be able to participate. It’s not about him and feeling sorry for himself. He does focus on the guys and this team.”
Chryst said it was a non-contact injury and happened when Coan was dropping back to pass. Cohan’s absence left redshirt freshman Graham Mertz as the No. 1 quarterback.
“Graham has been our second quarterback with Jack as the starter and (now) Graham is taking all the reps with the ones and then we’ve got Chase (Wolf) and Danny (Vanden Boom) getting the rest of the work,” Chryst said.
While the Badgers have zero starting experience outside of Coan, Mertz arrived at Wisconsin in the spring of 2019 as the most-hyped recruit in school history. He saw playing time in two games last season, going 9 of 10 for 73 yards. Due to injuries that Coan played through last year, there were weeks in which Mertz got significant reps with the first-team offense.
Wolf and Mertz battled for the backup job in fall camp last season. The redshirt sophomore ended up playing in the three games but threw just one pass.
Vanden Boom saw mop up duty in 2018, playing in three games and throwing one touchdown.
Nine Packers listed as questionable for Monday's game against Atlanta
The Green Bay Packers are limping into their Monday night showdown with the Atlanta Falcons.
Nine players are listed as questionable for the game, another is doubtful and two others have already been ruled out.
Those listed as questionable include wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring), linebacker Za’Darius Smith (ankle), cornerback Jaire Alexander (hand/knee), defensive lineman Kenny Clark (groin), center Corey Linsley (groin), running back Tyler Ervin (wrist), tight end Josiah Deguara (ankle), linebacker Rashan Gary (ankle) and punter JK Scott (illness).
Two of those guys — Linsley and Scott — did not practice Saturday after not being listed on the injury report the first two days. Alexander practiced fully the first two days despite his hand injury, but didn't practice Saturday due to a new knee injury. Ervin was added to the report Saturday but he did practice.
As for Adams, he was a limited participant, as he has been all week.
“We’ve got about 53 hours before kickoff, so we’ll give up to that time and then we’ll make a decision,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “Yeah, we’ll see.”
Clark told reporters he is feeling better and practiced on a limited basis all week. He said he feels good but it won’t be his decision whether he plays or not on Monday.
Alexander’s injury status is significant considering the Falcons could have their top two receivers healthy enough to play. Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley are listed as questionable.
The Packers ruled linebacker Christian Kirskey (pectoral) and wide receiver Allen Lazard (core) out for the game, and then put both on injured reserve. It means they'll miss at least three games.
Tight end Marcedes Lewis (knee) is listed as doubtful.
https://twitter.com/ZachHeilprin/status/1312488058520969217
Packers: WR Davante Adams, DL Kenny Clark practice for a second straight day
Things are looking up on the injury front for the Green Bay Packers.
Yes, wide receiver Allen Lazard is going to miss significant time following core muscle surgery, it’s looking like Davante Adams has a chance to play Monday night against Atlanta. The wide receiver practiced on a limited basis for a second straight day, though this time in pads. He’s been dealing with a hamstring injury that forced him to miss last week’s game against New Orleans.
Meanwhile, Kenny Clark was also practicing on a limited basis again. The nose tackle has missed the last two games with a groin injury, but has practiced the last two days.
Another change included tight end Josiah Deguara returning to the field. He didn’t practice Thursday due to an ankle injury that’s keep him out of the last two weeks but was limited on Friday.
Linebackers Rashan Gary and Za’Darius Smith were limited as well with ankle injuries.
Still sitting out included Lazard, linebacker Christian Kirksey and tight end Marcedes Lewis. Quarterback Jordan Love missed practice due to an illness, which is reportedly not COVID-19 related.
https://twitter.com/ZachHeilprin/status/1312129354470580224
Joe & Ebo Experience: Door Closes; Another Opens
Brewers Season Over (0:00)
Wisconsin Football (17:22)
Packers WR Update (29:42)
Former Brewer Seth McClung (42:50)
Vegas Insider Raphael Esparza (58:04)
Brewers season comes to an end with 3-0 loss to LA
Milwaukee’s season came to an end Thursday night in predictable fashion.
The Brewers, who struggled to scores runs all season, fell 3-0 to Los Angeles, giving the Dodgers a 2-0 series win in their NL Wild Card matchup.
Clayton Kershaw was dominant for LA. He allowed just three hits and struck out a playoff career-high 13 batters over eight innings. It was the third-most strikeouts by a Dodgers pitcher in the postseason and the most since the 1963 World Series.
Every Brewers starter had at least one strikeout Thursday, with Avisail Garcia, Christian Yelich and Jedd Gyorko combining for seven. Over the two-game series, Milwaukee scored just two runs and struck out 28 times.
Milwaukee was hoping that Brandon Woodruff could match Kershaw but he wasn’t able to. He allowed all three runs in the fifth inning before giving way to Josh Hader. Woodruff did end up striking out nine batters in the third postseason start of his career.
This was the sixth time the Brewers made the postseason in their history and the first time they failed to win a single game.
The Dodgers will move on and take on the winner of the St. Louis and San Diego series that is tied 1-1.
Packers: Allen Lazard reportedly out indefinitely following core muscle surgery
The Green Bay Packers wide receiver group took a big hit Thursday.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Allen Lazard underwent core surgery earlier this week and is out indefinitely. Recovery time for the injury varies, but Lazard figures to be out at least a month.
https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1311813498498768896
The injury comes after he put together his best day as a pro against New Orleans last Sunday. He caught six passes for 146 yards and a touchdown in Green Bay’s win.
The Packers are already without Equinmeous St. Brown, who is on injured reserve. He can be reinstated after this week.
There was some good injury news, though, at the position. Pro Bowler Davante Adams returned on a limited basis after missing last week’s game against New Orleans with a hamstring injury.
Others not practicing included linebacker Christian Kirksey (pectoral), tight end Josiah Deguara (ankle) and tight end Marcedes Lewis (knee).
Also appearing on the injury report was defensive lineman Kenny Clark (groin), and linebackers Za’Darius Smith (ankle), Rashan Gary (ankle) and Randy Ramsey (groin). All four were limited.
Green Bay’s opponent on Monday night, the Atlanta Falcons, is also dealing with a rash of injuries to important players. That includes the starting wide receiver duo of Julio Jones (hamstring) and Calvin Ridley (ankle). Jones was limited, while Ridley did not practice.
Brewers come up short in Game 1 loss to the Dodgers
A tough start from Brent Suter proved too much to overcome for an anemic Milwaukee offense in a 4-2 loss to Los Angeles in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card series Wednesday night.
Suter, getting the start in place of an injured Corbin Burnes, gave up three runs in just 1 2/3 innings. It included five walks — the same number he had in 16 appearances this season. Two of the walks came with the bases loaded and his five walks are tied for the most by a pitcher in an outing of two innings or less in MLB postseason history.
https://twitter.com/AdamMcCalvy/status/1311502469663518720
While Suter struggled, Dodgers' starter Walker Buehler threw the ball quite well except for one pitch. His lone mistake came to Orlando Arcia, who drilled a 2-run homer in the fourth inning. It was the shortstop’s fourth postseason home run and his third against LA. His four homers is tied with Prince Fielder for the most in franchise playoff history.
Buehler’s pitching line was still solid despite the one pitch. He ended up going four innings, while allowing three hits and striking out eight.
The Dodgers bullpen kept Milwaukee’s offense at bay the rest of the way. Julio Urias pitched three scoreless innings, Blake Treinen shut the Brewers down in the eighth and then Kenley Jansen came on in the ninth to close things out.
The Brewers pitching staff did an admirable job in keeping the team in the game. Eric Yardley retired all seven of the batters he faced and Justin Topa allowed just a hit in his two innings. The lone blip on the radar was a solo home run from Corey Seager off of Freddy Peralta for an important insurance run in the seventh.
Milwaukee’s offense was unable to breakthrough despite having some chances. The Brewers went 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base.
Injuries hit the club again in the game, with outfielder Ryan Braun forced out with mild back soreness. It came a few innings after he crashed into the wall trying to chase down a ball.
The win gives Los Angeles a 1-0 lead in the series and the Dodgers can close it out with a win Thursday night. Milwaukee will send Brandon Woodruff to the mound to try to keep the season going, while the Dodgers counter with Clayton Kershaw.
NASCAR Cup Series coming to Road America
The top NASCAR series is coming to Wisconsin in 2021.
It’ll happen at Road America’s National Park of Speed next summer on the 4th of July. Road America made the announcement Wednesday.
In a release, Mike Kertscher, Road America’s president and general manager, said fans have been asking for them to bring the NASCAR Cup Series to the track in Sheboygan County for a decade.
“The weekend is going to be memorable and exciting for everyone as we celebrate Independence Day at America’s National Park of Speed,” Kertscher stated. “We encourage new and returning fans to get their tickets and campsites early because we intend to host four full days of on-track action. Our entire staff is excited to welcome the teams, drivers, and new visitors to show them that Road America is the ideal facility to come for the experience and stay for the race.”
Road America has hosted the Xfinity Series, the second-tier of NASCAR, for the last 11 years.
You can find more information about tickets and additional event details at the Road America website.
Paul Chryst talks position battles as the pads come on at Badgers practice
Wisconsin hit the field for the first padded practice of fall camp Wednesday morning. While reporters aren’t being allowed in to watch due to COVID-19, coach Paul Chryst did speak with the media afterwards and gave a small glimpse into some of the more interesting position battles going on.
Running back
The Badgers have 320 carries and more than 2,000 yards to replace with Jonathan Taylor now playing in Indianapolis and Chryst believes, at least right now, they will count on three guys — senior Garrett Groshek and sophomores Nakia Watson and Isaac Guerendo — to fill the void.
“Those three are the ones that the lean goes on right now to be productive,” Chryst said. “Certainly not trying to match what (Taylor) did, but we do have to get really good consistent production out of that group, and I think all three can bring something.”
Watson figures to be the early-down option after rushing for 331 yards and two touchdowns in relief of Taylor last season. Groshek has played as the third-down back a lot in the last three seasons and has 57 career catches, while Guerendo is the fastest of the three and could be used in a variety of ways.
Chryst also mentioned redshirt freshman Julius Davis and true freshman Jalen Berger, saying both are still new, suggesting they have not yet had the opportunity to show the staff what they are capable of.
“(Running backs) Coach (John) Settle has a great saying in there and I think guys have bought into it,” Chryst said. “The standard is the standard. We all know what (Taylor) brought to this team and this program. It can be different. It can look different. The names are different, but that’s why they are here. They know they can contribute in a big way.”
https://twitter.com/ZachHeilprin/status/1311436065887186944
Outside linebacker
Chryst really likes what Noah Burks gave them last year even if he wasn’t as in your face as some of the big name guys that have played the position over the last five years. The senior fnished sixth on the team in tackles and fourth in tackles for loss.
“Noah was productive last year in a different way than Zack (Baun) was or maybe T.J. (Watt) and (Joe Schobert) and Vince (Biegel). Those guys were probably more flashy. You noticed them,” Chryst said. “But when you go back at look at it, Noah was consistently productive and did a lot of things. I think the first thing is to keep that and build off of that. He doesn’t have to be someone that he’s not. I think last year gave him genuine confidence. He played a lot of football and in some of our big games played very well. So make sure you’re at that level and then how do you find a way to take a step forward.”
While Burks is a known commodity, finding a partner on the other side is the biggest challenge at the position.
Chryst mentioned three different guys as potential fillers for Baun:
Junior Izayah Green-May
“Izayah is a legitimate guy. Izayah played and played a lot last year in different areas. He’s got to continue to grow. He’s no longer a young guy.”
Sophomore CJ Goetz
“CJ Goetz has done a nice job. Last year moved him, switching positions, but now I think he’s had enough time where he’s understanding what’s going on.”
Redshirt freshman Spencer Lytle
“Spencer Lytle is a guy we were excited about when he came in. He’s kind of always been fighting an injury. Just being able to be on the field consistently. He’s shown some natural instincts to the position and has the ability to help us.”
Wisconsin brought in three true freshmen that they are intrigued about in Nick Herbig, Aaron Witt and Kayden Johnson, but it sounds like Green-May, Goetz and Lytle will see the field the most, at least at this point.
“I like that group but it’s early,” Chryst said. “Who is it that’s going to impact it? We still have to find out.”
Inside linebacker
Chris Orr is now in the NFL, leaving a spot open next to junior Jack Sanborn. Chryst seems very comfortable with either sophomore Leo Chenal or senior Mike Maskalunas filling that spot.
“We’ve got three guys that have been around and played,” Chryst said. “Leo being the youngest but has played a lot of football. With Jack and Leo and Mikey, you’ve got three guys that certainly have a good sense of how to play and how to play in our defense.”
The fourth spot on the depth chart remains unclear, especially with redshirt freshman Maema Njongmeta not currently practicing. That leaves true freshmen Malik Reed, Jordan Turner and Preston Zachman to fill in.
“Kind of two different groups. You’ve got a group that’s got a real good understanding and then you’ve got a younger group that we like their talent,” Chryst said. “I think there’s some questions marks certainly after those top three.”
Brewers set NL Wild Card roster, reliever Devin Williams not on it
Milwaukee will play without the top reliever in baseball in its Wild Card series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Brewers released their 28-man roster for the series and it did not include Devin Williams. They say he was ruled out due to right shoulder soreness.
It’s a huge loss for a club already playing without its top starting pitcher in Corbin Burnes. Williams is among the candidates for National League Rookie of the Year after dominating in his first season with the Brewers. He allowed just four runs over 27 innings of work for an ERA of 0.33 and averaged nearly two strikeouts per inning.
Milwaukee also left starting pitcher Brett Anderson off the roster. There was some hope he might be able to return and start a potential Game 3 after leaving Sunday’s loss to St. Louis with a blister.
The Brewers will have designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach. He suffered a hamstring injury in the season finale but will be available. So, too, will outfielder Ben Gamel. He’s coming of the injured list after a quad issue finally sidelined him on Sept. 20.
Game 1 of the best-of-three series between the Brewers and Dodgers is scheduled to get underway Wednesday night at 9:08 p.m. CT.
