UW football: Chikwe Obasih injures knee in practice.
MADISON – Wisconsin’s defense has lost another key player to injury.
According to a source, veteran defensive end Chikwe Obasih suffered a knee injury Wednesday morning during practice.
He isn’t expected to play Saturday against visiting Florida Atlantic and his status beyond that is to be determined.
The injury does not appear to be season-ending, however.
After hosting Florida Atlantic this week, UW faces host BYU on Sept. 16, has a bye on Sept. 23 and opens Big Ten play Sept. 30 against visiting Northwestern.
UW (1-0), No. 11 in the Amway coaches poll and No. 9 in The Associated Press poll, already has lost starting inside linebacker Jack Cichy (right knee) and reserve outside linebacker Zack Baun (left foot) to season-ending injuries.
Redshirt senior defensive ends Alec James and Conor Sheehy started, along with nose tackle Olive Sagapolu, in the opener against Utah State.
Obasih, a redshirt senior from Brookfield Central High School, was the first end off the bench against the Aggies.
The injury to Obasih, who has started 31 games and played in 42, should mean more playing time for Isaiahh Loudermilk and others.
Loudermilk, a 6-foot-7, 306-pound redshirt freshman, recorded a sack and three tackles overall in the opener.
UW defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard did not share the news of Obasih’s injury but was asked about the play of Loudermilk in the opener.
“It was just getting his feet under him,” Leonhard said. “That first action, feeling comfortable and just trusting what you’ve seen on tape.
“It was good. The energy was high. He made some plays but left some out there.
“That is the beauty of it. He is continuing to grow and just see how the details will affect him. You can make huge plays or you can leave plays on the field based on the details of the defense.”
Sophomore Garrett Rand is UW’s No. 2 nose tackle but also can play end. He worked at end all spring but was moved back to nose tackle at the start of camp. Redshirt junior Billy Hirschfeld also could get more work.
Sheehy and James likely will be needed to contribute more with Obasih out.
Sheehy has started 20 games and played in 41. His toughness and versatility are his hallmarks. James has started 13 games and played in 41. He gradually has developed into an every-down player rather than just a pass-rush specialist.
“He has played a lot of snaps,” Leonhard said when asked about James’ progress from last season, when he started nine of 13 games. “He could easily go in coast mode and go: ‘I know what I’m doing.’
“But it is the fine details that make you great. I think he kind of championed (that) this off-season. It will be fun to see him play this year, knowing he has taken that next step.”