Wisconsin football coach Paul Chryst revealed Monday that redshirt junior center Dan Voltz will miss the remainder of the season, and it is uncertain whether junior wide receiver Robert Wheelwright will be back.
Voltz suffered a knee injury and Wheelwright a leg injury in the third quarter of last week’s 24-13 Wisconsin victory at Illinois.
Chryst also confirmed that guard Ray Ball and tackle Hayden Biegel are both likely out for the season with injuries.
With Voltz out, redshirt freshman Michael Deiter is set to start at center Saturday.
Deiter started the first six games at left guard before starting at center against Purdue. Voltz missed that game because of an elbow injury. Chryst said Voltz missing the previous game actually helped the preparation.
With Deiter moving to center, redshirt freshman Micah Kapoi is set to start at left guard for the second time this season. He has four starts at right guard coming in. Redshirt junior Walker Williams should start at right guard.
Rob Wheelwright had three catches for 47 yards and a touchdown against Illinois before suffering his leg injury. Wheelwright is currently second on the team in receptions (28) and receiving yards (369). His four touchdown catches leads the team.
Joel Stave
Quarterback Joel Stave, who left the Illinois game after suffering a concussion in the first quarter, is still listed as the starter on the team’s depth chart. He is going through the team’s concussion protocol but is expected to be cleared in time for Saturday’s game against Rutgers at Camp Randall Stadium.
AUDIO: Paul Chryst says Voltz missing the previous game helped them prepare :14