Paul Chryst announces running back Chez Mellusi suffered significant injury

Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi will miss the rest of the 2021 season with an injury, Badgers’ head coach Paul Chryst announced Thursday.

Chryst didn’t go into detail about the injury Mellusi suffered, but he did make a comment that made it seem like it’s pretty significant, according to a tweet posted by Jesse Temple of The Athletic.

“It’s going to be one of those [injuries] where it won’t be spring ball [before Mellusi returns],” Chryst said.

A 5-foot-11 junior out of Naples, Florida, Mellusi has been putting up big numbers for the Badgers this season. Through nine games, Mellusi has rushed for 815 yards and five touchdowns on 173 carries, while also making seven receptions for 66 yards.

In last weeks’ game against Rutgers, Mellusi finished with 75 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.

Wisconsin is currently 6-3 on the season and 4-2 in the Big Ten.

Another injury for the Badgers

Just over a week ago, Wisconsin was dealt with another season-ending injury as Badgers’ tight end Clay Cundiff suffered a lower-body injury in the team’s win over Iowa.

The 6-foot-3 run blocker played in four games this season, recording three catches for 86 yards and a touchdown. The redshirt sophomore from Wichita, Kansas, was the seventh Badger to end the season early due to injury – and that list is now at eight deep after the news of Mellusi.

Cundiff left the field in an ambulance during the Badgers’ Oct. 30 win over Iowa. The injury occurred when Cundiff’s legs were swept from behind while blocking a defender. The ESPN broadcast team opted not to show replay angles of the injury, avoiding the gruesome images.

As fellow tight end Jake Ferguson came to his side, he looked away after seeing the leg injury. Teammates immediately called for medical attention, and the ambulance was later brought to Clay Cundiff’s side. He managed to give a thumbs up toward the crowd on his way out of the stadium. He also tweeted a thank you to the Wisconsin fan base:

Appreciate all the thoughts and prayers❤️ Love this team! #OnWisconsin

— Clay Cundiff (@clay_cundiff10) October 31, 2021

On top of Chez Mellusi and Clay Cundiff’s unfortunate season-ending injuries, the Badgers also declared outside linebacker Aaron Witt out for the season. Witt sustained an injury during spring practice and still is in a boot.

Heading into last Saturday’s game against Rutgers, a 52-3 blowout win, Wisconsin was already without wide receiver A.J. Abbott and tight ends Hayden Rucci and Cam Large, while outside linebacker Spencer Lytle and left guard Josh Seltzner were both questionable.

On3’s Nikki Chavanelle contributed to this report.