Wisconsin loses tight end for the season, injury updates

Wisconsin Badgers tight end Clay Cundiff will miss the rest of the season after suffering a lower-body injury in the win over No. 19 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, is now the seventh Badger to end the season early due to injury.

Cundiff left the field on an ambulance during Saturday’s 27-7 win over No. 9 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

Cundiff, Witt join growing list of wounded

On top of Clay Cundiff’s unfortunate prognosis, the Badgers also declared outside linebacker Aaron Witt out for the season. Witt sustained an injury in the spring and still is in a boot.

For Wisconsin’s game versus Rutgers on Saturday, outside linebacker Spencer Lytle and left guard Josh Seltzner are questionable. Wide receiver A.J. Abbott, and tight ends Hayden Rucci and Cam Large will not play.

The 5-3 Badgers travel to face the 4-4 Rutgers squad for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday.

Leo Chenal makes Butkus Award watchlist

Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Leo Chenal earned Butkus Award recognition on Monday. Even after missing two games to start the year, Chenal has 60 tackles through Week 9. He’s averaging 10 tackles a game, which is good for top-10 in the country.

The Butkus Award, instituted in 1985, revealed a list of its 16 semifinalists for the distinction. This year marks the 37th annual Butkus Award ceremony, and the award is presented to the best linebackers at the high school and college level.