The Wisconsin Badgers were dealt a blow in the season opener against the Miami (OH) Redhawks when starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. went down with a non-contact injury, marking the third straight season that the team has dealt with an injury to its starter.
Edwards did not return to the game, although he was seen on the sidelines walking around with the team during the second half, suggesting the injury wasn’t as bad as it could have been.
Speaking after the game, head coach Luke Fickell shared
he didn’t have any update on Edwards’s injury, but noted it’s a good sign that he was out there in the second half on the sideline.
“First things first, starting off, I don’t have any answers on Billy [Edwards],” Fickell said. “Don’t know a whole lot. Good to see, though, that he was back out there and able to be a part of the game, be with our team, things like that. Hopefully, that’s a really good sign for things moving forward, but we won’t have any updates right now.”
Additionally, wide receiver Vinny Anthony affirmed that Edwards was going to be okay after the game, noting that he might miss some time, but that it didn’t seem too serious.
On Friday, CBS Sports’s Chris Hummer reported that Edwards isn’t expected to miss much time, potentially even returning for Wisconsin’s Week 3 contest versus the Alabama Crimson Tide.
“The early word coming out of Madison, per multiple sources, is Edwards’ leg injury is not expected to be a long-term issue,” Hummer wrote.
“Full clarity is expected within the next 24-48 hours. But there’s optimism around the building that Edwards could even return for Wisconsin’s high-profile nonconference matchup with No. 8 Alabama on Sept. 13.”
That would be a major return for Wisconsin, as they have their first major test coming up in two weeks on the road against Alabama, which will provide a litmus test for where they currently stand early in the season.
Until then, the Badgers will roll with sophomore quarterback Danny O’Neil, who transferred in after being a full-time starter as a true freshman at San Diego State last season.
In Edwards’s absence, O’Neil completed 12/19 passes for 120 yards, one touchdown, and one interception on Thursday night in Wisconsin’s 17-0 win over Miami (OH). He also rushed for a touchdown.
