Wisconsin safety Preston Zachman, who has been sidelined since Week 3, is out for the rest of the season

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BLOOMINGTON, IN – The Wisconsin Badgers defense has been without Preston Zachman since the Week 3 loss to Alabama.

Now it’s official: The graduate safety is done for the year.

That was the designation Zachman was given on the Big Ten availability report for the Badgers’ game Nov. 15 at Indiana. This is the first week he has received that designation.

Zachman suffered a lower body injury during the loss to Alabama and has seen on the sidelines during games wearing a walking boot on his left leg.

It appears that he has a medical redshirt option should he chose to use it.

Badgers coach Luke Fickell was asked about Zachman’s absence Nov. 3 and was hopeful but uncertain about his return. Fickell said Zachman was “doing more” and “feeling better”.

Junior Matt Jung has filled in for Zachman and entering play Saturday started six straight games.

Zachman finished the season with 12 tackles. His two interceptions, which came in the season opener, are tied for the team lead.

“He was the leader of the defense,” Fickell said Nov. 3. “He was making most of the calls and was just that corner piece to what you were doing and so it's been trying.

“It's been one of those things we've had to be able to overcome and had to spread out some of that (responsibility) the last seven weeks.”

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin safety Preston Zachman is out for the rest of the season

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