Braelon Allen injury rules him out for Wisconsin vs. Minnesota

Wisconsin will be without one of its stars for today’s regular-season finale against Minnesota. Following a Braelon Allen injury that has affected the star running back since late October, Allen has been ruled out against the Golden Gophers.

The team officially announced him as out in its status report issued just before the game. Stadium’s Brett McMurphy first reported Saturday afternoon that Allen is “highly unlikely to play,” according to sources.

Allen has run for 1,121 yards and 10 touchdowns so far this season, while adding 11 catches for 104 yards.

He suffered a shoulder injury in a game against Purdue on Oct. 22 and has fighting through it ever since. He left the Maryland game twice on Nov. 5 but has managed to gut it out the last few weeks.

Coach Jim Leonhard discussed Allen’s status recently, making it clear the star tailback is going through a lot from a physical standpoint.

“We have to be smart with him. We know what he’s going through. If he’s banged up it’s probably not getting better until this thing ends off, so trying to be smart. Having Chez back will be a huge help,” Leonard said.

“Because he’s a warrior, he wants to play, he wants every touch, he doesn’t want to come off the field. Just proud of him, of what he’s going through, but we have to continue to be smart with how we use him, when we use him. And I think that affects how he finishes runs which, for a big back, his style of play, the way he finishes, the punishing style that he has, we want him to do that, but he’s only got so many hits in that body every week right now.”

Wisconsin is at 6-5 on the season, having already clinched bowl eligibility but looking to close out the season strong. That will be tougher with the Braelon Allen injury sidelining the star.

The Badgers have won three of their last four and will kick off against Minnesota at 3:30 p.m. ET with a broadcast on ESPN.