Wisconsin Football Injury Report: Two Key Starters OUT at Nebraska

The Wisconsin Badgers will be without the centerpiece of their defense Saturday afternoon. According to Big Ten Availability Reports, Safety Hunter Wohler will miss the matchup between former Big Ten West foes. 

The senior from Muskego, WI, leads the Badgers in total tackles. In 2023, he led Wisconsin and all Big Ten defensive backs in tackles. Wohler exited UW's game against Oregon, an eventual 16-13 loss, with an injury after recording a season-high 12 tackles against the Ducks. 

Wisconsin football will also be without its top pass-catcher. Will Pauling, who ranks second among all Badgers with 407 receiving yards, is also unavailable for UW against the 'Huskers after leaving last week's game with an injury. 

The transfer from Cincinnati has become a go-to target for Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke. Pauling leads his team with 42 receptions. Wideout Vinny Anthony has the second-most catches among Badgers with 28 this season. 

Badgers Could Get Unlikely Player Back from Injury

However, it was not all bad news on the injury report for Wisconsin football. After missing the first ten games to begin the season, Badgers defensive coordinator Mike Tressel may get an impact player back in his front seven.

Wisconsin listed defensive lineman James Thompson Jr. as questionable for this afternoon's contest. It is the first time the redshirt senior is listed as anything other than "out" after suffering an "upper body" injury in preseason camp. After the injury, the Cincinnati native underwent surgery that kept him out "indefinitely."

Especially with Wohler out, Thompson Jr.'s presence would be a significant boon to UW's defense. Wohler is relied upon to plug rushing lanes. In a potential return from Thompson Jr., the Badgers would be getting their top tackler on the defensive line in 2023. Between the 2022 and 2023 seasons, the six-foot-five-inch stalwart started 18 of 23 games on the line for Wisconsin.