Badgers’ Mertz questionable against Illini

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game at Illinois after a chest injury knocked him out of the loss to Michigan.

Mertz was briefly taken to the hospital Saturday for evaluation after being sacked by Daxton Hill early in the third quarter.

Coach Paul Chryst said all the test results were encouraging, and Mertz expressed optimism he’d be able to play Saturday.

Minnesota running back Trey Potts, who remains hospitalized for an unspecified medical issue that occurred late in Saturday’s game at Purdue, is improving and is “doing well,” according to the school.

Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is out indefinitely and is being listed as weekto-week after suffering a separated throwing shoulder against Penn State.

Georgia quarterback JT Daniels was held out of throwing drills, leaving his status uncertain at Auburn.

Hendon Hooker earned the starting quarterback job at Tennessee.

The SEC fined Kentucky $250,000 after fans stormed the field following a 20-13 upset of the No. 10 Gators on Saturday night.

Kyrie faces pay cut for missing games

Nets star Kyrie Irving, who is unvaccinated, could lose millions after the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association agreed to a reduction in pay of 1/91.6 of a player’s salary for each game an unvaccinated player misses because of local COVID-19 vaccine mandates, sources told ESPN.

New York and San Francisco currently are two cities that have COVID-19 mandates. If Irving is unable to play in home games, he would lose roughly $380,000 per game — which would become more than $15 million if he doesn’t get vaccinated at any point this season.

NHL

Flyers coach Vigneault denies pill pushing

Flyers coach Alain Vigneault denied accusations that he ever gave players drugs without doctor’s consent as suggested in a string of social-media posts by former player Robin Lehner.

“I was obviously very disappointed,” Vigneault said. “As far as me pushing pills, I don’t need another income. I have no idea where that comes from. I don’t know what else to say. I have no idea.”