Luke Fickell shares latest on Tanner Mordecai recovery

Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers are missing quarterback Tanner Mordecai at the moment.

The Badgers had a ton of promise entering Fickell’s first season on the job, but losing three of their last four, including two in a row, has Wisconsin reeling. Perhaps it can all be traced back to Mordecai’s injury, which has kept him out for numerous games in the last month or so.

In his stead, Braedyn Locke has led the way, passing for five touchdowns and one interception, but the offense simply hasn’t been able to hit their stride regardless. Speaking with the media following Wisconsin’s latest loss, Fickell updated the masses on Mordecai’s status.

“He warmed up last Saturday, but we you know, it was, ‘Hey, he’s a possibility. He’s an emergency maybe,’ but they’re asking you that before the game, because you’ve got to report,” Fickell elaborated. “I’m like, ‘Look, I don’t think he’s going to play,’ but we put him in there as questionable, only because of situational stuff. Not trying to hide anything. So it’s similar. I mean, when they can warm up, it’s a start.

“Does that really mean they can actually take you out there and put you in the best position to win a football game? So sometimes you just, those are some instincts that you’ve got to get a feel for. Say, ‘Okay, now we’re in a tight situation,’ but we also can’t put somebody in there that can’t protect himself, and doesn’t give us the best opportunity.”

Nevertheless, Wisconsin is one win away from becoming bowl eligible, which would be huge at this point in the season. They’ll have a good shot this weekend, as the Badgers are welcoming the Northwestern Wildcats to Madison.

While Northwestern has proven to be no pushover in 2023, it’s still a game that many believe Wisconsin should win. Fickell was supposed to bring stability, and Northwestern had their fair share of drama before the season, and the two teams were thought to be on different paths entirely.

If Wisconsin can’t get the win over Northwestern, they’ll have two more solid chances to do so afterward, as they’re facing Nebraska and Minnesota to end their season.

Time will tell if Tanner Mordecai is able to return for any of the aforementioned games, but Luke Fickell and Wisconsin are missing him. The quarterback is doing all he can to work back and be there for his time to end the season.