Cephus’ return to Badgers this season is uncertain
MADISON – Sophomore Quintez Cephus, Wisconsin’s most productive wide receiver this season, will be sidelined indefinitely.
UW on Monday listed Cephus as out for the Iowa game this week. Cephus suffered a right-leg injury in the Badgers’ 45-17 victory at Indiana.
“Q is going to meet with a doctor today or tomorrow and see a little bit more,” UW coach Paul Chryst said.
UW officials have not disclosed the specific injury Cephus suffered.
However, if it involves his fibula, the smaller of the two bones between the knee and ankle, Cephus could return for a bowl game.
Wide receiver Robert Wheelwright suffered a broken fibula in the eighth game in 2015. Wheelwright was sidelined for the final five weeks of the regular season – four games and a bye week – but returned to practice in time to play in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 30.
If Cephus’ injury involves the tibia, also known as the shinbone, he likely will miss the remainder of the season.
“He has been playing tremendous this year,” senior tight end Troy Fumagalli said after practice Monday. “Prayers to him. Great guy.
“We’re all saddened. But in his honor, I think the right thing to do is to play well.”
UW previously lost four key players to season-ending injuries.
Linebackers Jack Cichy (knee) and Zack Baun (foot) and tailback Taiwan Deal (ankle) suffered injuries in camp. Safety Patrick Johnson (shoulder) played four games before being undergoing season-ending surgery.
Linebacker Chris Orr (left leg) is also out this week, though Chryst sounded optimistic his absence will not be long term.
With Orr out, junior Arrington Farrar likely will get more playing time and perhaps walk-on Mike Maskalunas.
“I think Arrington is ready,” linebacker T.J. Edwards said. “Such a big thing at linebacker is getting those live game reps. You’re going to have those rough patches your first couple of times ... he is playing hard and those reps will only help him.”
Maskalunas has been the fifth inside linebacker but probably will get more work this week in practice with the No. 2 unit. Whether he plays much Saturday is to be determined. He got in the game late at Indiana and was credited with two tackles.
“He is a guy who is working hard,” Edwards said. “I was excited to see him out there last week getting as many reps as he could.”
Cephus caught two passes for 24 yards and a touchdown before suffering the injury Saturday. He is tied for the team lead with Fumagalli in catches (30), leads the team in receiving yards (501) and touchdown catches (six).
Cephus was blocking on a running play when right guard Beau Benzschawel accidentally rolled into the back of his legs with 11 minutes 1 second left in the quarter.
“I think so far, whenever we’ve had an injury, guys have done a great job stepping up and making plays,” Fumagalli said. “We’re going to keep continuing that and trying to do the best we can.”
UW’s top three wide receivers are sophomore A.J. Taylor (14 catches, 231 yards, two TDs), freshman Danny Davis (8-170-1) and redshirt freshman Kendric Pryor (6-80-0). Senior wide receiver Jazz Peavy, who has been slowed by a right-foot injury and is also away from the team for personal reasons, remains out.