Wisconsin lists QB Mertz as questionable for Illinois game

MADISON, WIS. (AP) » Wisconsin is listing quarterback Graham Mertz as questionable for Saturday’s game at Illinois after a chest injury knocked him out of the weekend loss to Michigan.

Mertz didn’t return to the Michigan game after Daxton Hill sacked him early in the third quarter of the Wolverines’ 3817 triumph. Mertz expressed optimism Monday that he’d be able to play against Illinois (2-4, 1-2 Big Ten).

“I was out there today,” Mertz said after practice. “I’ll just go with it day by day.”

Mertz was taken to the hospital for evaluation after his injury and got released later Saturday. Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said all the test results were encouraging.

“I feel all right,” Mertz said. “I’m just kind of taking it day by day, getting treatment and trying to get better every day.”

Tight end Jake Ferguson also is considered questionable for this week after leaving the Michigan game early due to a chest injury.

Wisconsin (1-3, 0-2) is trying to recover from its worst start since 1990 as the Badgers prepare to face one of their former head coaches for the first time in program history. Illinois coach Bret Bielema coached Wisconsin from 2006-12 before leaving for Arkansas.

The 1990 team also started 1-3 and went on to finish 1-10.

Mertz has completed just 56.4% of his passes for six interceptions and just two touchdowns, but he had led two straight scoring drives just before his injury. That included a three-play, 63-yard drive that took just 15 seconds and culminated with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Chimere Dike.

“I felt like we were just clicking, making plays together, playing the ball we want to play as an offense,” Mertz said. “We definitely want to build on that.”

Wisconsin’s inability to compete with Michigan after Mertz’s injury underscored his value to the team..