Impact Wisconsin defender announces he’s out for Penn State game

Ahead of Wisconsin’s matchup with Penn State, Badgers star linebacker Leo Chenal announced on his Instagram story that he will miss the next two games after testing positive for COVID-19.

“To all my friends and family, I have tested positive for Covid and will miss the next 2 games,” Chenal said on his Instagram story on Saturday. “That aside, I am excited to see the boys kill it today!”

With Chenal out, backup inside linebackers Mike Maskalunas and Tatum Grass will have to step up alongside starter Jack Sanborn.

Maskalunas is the more experienced of the two, entering his sixth season at Wisconsin. In his career, he has played in 41 games, recoding 36 tackles, two fumble recoveries and two pass breakups.

Grass is entering his third season at Wisconsin. In his career, the linebacker has played in seven games, posting five tackles.

Per Jeff Potrykus and Wisconsin Badgers officials, cornerback Deron Harrell and outside linebacker Aaron Witt will also be out against Penn State, as both are dealing with leg injuries.

Chenal is a vital veteran for Badgers

Chenal is entering his third season at Wisconsin playing in 18 total games and starting all seven games for the Badgers last season.

In 2020, Chenal recorded 46 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble and one interception.

As a freshman in 2019, Chenal recorded 20 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.

Chenal will also miss Wisconsin’s game against Eastern Michigan on Sept. 11. Wisconsin has a bye the following week, but will face off with No. 9 Notre Dame.

Chenal made an appearance on On3’s Preseason 3-star All-America defense.

On3’s Director of Scouting had this to say about Chenal.

“Chenal (6-2, 230) worked his way into a key role on the Badgers’ defense in 2020, teaming with Jack Sanborn to form one of the better linebacker duos nationally,” Power said. “He finished 2020 with 46 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks and one interception in seven games. Chenal was a dominant small-school player at Grantsburg (Wis.) High and was a two-way threat as a running back and linebacker. As a senior, Chenal rushed for 2,038 yards and 42 touchdowns and also accounted for five more offensive touchdowns. On defense, he had 120 tackles and two interceptions. With that production, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Chenal was Wisconsin’s Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior in 2018. He also registered a throw of more than 46 feet in the shot put as a junior. ”

No. 12 Wisconsin takes on No. 19 Penn State at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday.