Wisconsin football news: Badgers' slim hopes get slight boost with injury update

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Wisconsin football news: Badgers' slim hopes get slight boost with injury update appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Wisconsin footballwill be going up against Notre Dame, and they may be getting some help on the offensive line. After uncertainty about whether Kevin Heywood would suit up, it looks like he’ll give it a go, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

“Sources: Wisconsin starting right tackle Kevin Heywood (lower body) is expected to play against No. 4 Notre Dame on Sunday, as his status had been uncertain heading into the game. Right guard Emerson Mandell (foot) is not expected to play for the Badgers,” Thamel wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Heywood playing is good news for Wisconsin, and they’ll need him against a stout Notre Dame defense. He’s their most gifted lineman, even after missing all of last season with a torn ACL that he suffered during spring practice.

Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)

With this recent injury, Heywood suffered it on the second day of fall camp and was in a walking boot. He returned to practice but wasn’t a full participant, and head coach Luke Fickell noted that Heywood would be considered a game-time decision.

Wisconsin is going to have to come out strong this season, because there’s a chance they make some moves if not. One of those moves is possibly firing Fickell, and there have already been thoughts on who would replace him, according to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. A top option would be Jason Eck of New Mexico.

“The former Wisconsin O-lineman spent a lot of his coaching career at the FCS level and did a fantastic job at Idaho in his first head coaching stint,” Feldman wrote. “He just had an outstanding nine-win season with the Lobos in his debut year. Eck has a vibrant personality and a keen big-picture grasp of the job, and he appears destined for the Power 4 ranks. Our guess is he would be the Badgers’ first call if they have to replace Fickell.”

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos