Edwards healthy for Badgers’ opener
MADISON – T.J. Edwards’ final preseason camp at Wisconsin was a pain in the…hamstring.
The senior inside linebacker missed about two weeks of camp after aggravating a right-hamstring injury Aug. 4.
Although he insists he is fully recovered and ready for UW’s opener at 8 p.m. Friday against visiting Western Kentucky, the road back tested his patience.
His rehab plan included walking the Camp Randall Stadium stairs.
“Ran two days,” Edwards said Monday. “Second time was optional but I needed a little extra cardio considering it is a tempo team. It’s something I don’t enjoy doing.
“It is worse when you come down the steps and you’re just looking at practice. You want to be out there and you’re walking the stairs. It is terrible.”
Edwards led UW in tackles in 2015 and ’16 and finished second on the team last season.
Despite behind held out for two weeks, Edwards remained confident he would be ready for the opener.
“I knew at first it wasn’t that bad,” he said. “This initially happened a few weeks before that. I’ve been dealing with it.
“But it feels good now. That is why I took this time now to let it sit. I needed it and I feel really good now.”
Depth chart musings
❚ As expected, UW officials listed redshirt junior Jon Dietzen and redshirt sophomore Cole Van Lanen as co-starters at left tackle. Offensive coordinator/ line coach Joe Rudolph said in camp he expects to use both players.
❚ Senior kicker Rafael Gaglianone has been cleared to play in the opener. He missed significant time in camp because of back problems but recently returned to practice. Redshirt freshman Collin Larsh is the No. 2 kicker.
Gaglianone, who missed most of the 2016 season after undergoing back surgery, has made 23 of his last 26 field-goal attempts. UW coach Paul Chryst said Monday the staff was always confident Gaglianone would kick this season.
“Part of it was having gone through similar things with (him),” Chryst said. “And also knowing the timetable on it. I thought when he came back it was good.”
❚ Mason Stokke, a redshirt sophomore from Menomonie High School who has battled through injuries at UW, has moved to fullback from inside linebacker. He is listed No. 2 on the depth chart for the opener, behind senior Alec Ingold. According to Chryst, the move was made because UW had more dependable backups at inside linebacker than at fullback.
❚ Zach Hintze is the No. 1 kickoff specialist. The backup is P.J. Rosowski.
❚ Chris Orr and Mike Maskalunas, a walk-on from Long Grove, Ill., are listed as the backup inside linebackers.
Injury report
Tight end Zander Neuville (right hamstring) and reserve safety Patrick Johnson (head) were among five players listed as out for the opener Friday.
Also out are defensive end Kraig Howe (right leg), defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk (left knee) and tailback Bradrick Shaw (left knee).
With Johnson out, either freshman Reggie Pearson or redshirt sophomore Eric Burrell will be the third safety.
Loudermilk continues to rehab from knee surgery in May.
Neuville, who appeared recovered from a torn ACL suffered in the regularseason finale at Minnesota, suffered a setback in the form of a pulled hamstring Aug. 4.