Badgers’ injured offensive tackles progressing
MADISON – Wisconsin offensive line coach Joe Rudolph appears to be closer to getting his top unit back on the field.
Senior left tackle Tyler Beach and senior right tackle Logan Bruss, both of whom are out because of left leg injuries, were in full pads Wednesday.
And although both players were limited to individual work, they appear to be moving well and without discomfort.
“Just trying to get healthy,” said Beach, who has yet to practice in pre
season camp, which opened Aug. 6. “Obviously, it's hard just watching the guys go out and compete.”
Bruss last practiced on Friday. He wore a brace on his left leg for just one day, Monday.
Beach, Bruss and left tackle Logan Brown, out since Saturday when he suffered a head injury, worked on the field with Rudolph for about 15 minutes after practice ended Wednesday. Brown was in shorts and a T-shirt and does not appear close to returning.
When does Beach hope to make his camp debut?
“Just as soon as I can,” he said. “That's kind of my plan.
“It's been itchy just trying to get back. I've just got to get better every day.”
Beach has started eight games – seven at right tackle and one at left tackle – and played in 34 games. His lone start at left tackle came against Purdue in 2019. He started the final six games last season at right tackle.
According to Beach, working at left tackle all spring aided his transition to that position.
“It wasn't too hard to get used to it,” he said, “and in the spring I had a lot of time.”
Bruss has 25 starts – at right tackle, right guard and as a jumbo tight end – and has played in 32 games. He started the 2020 opener at right tackle but his five other starts last season came at right guard. He moved back to tackle in the spring.
“It has just been the most comfortable (position) throughout my time here,” Bruss said earlier in camp when asked about playing right tackle.
Tanor Bortolini, who can play either tackle spot, remains out since suffering a right-knee injury on Saturday.
With the top four tackles still out, UW's first line Wednesday featured freshman Riley Mahlman at left tackle, Cormac Sampson at left guard, Joe Tippmann at center, Jack Nelson at right guard and Trey Wedig at right tackle.
The No. 2 line featured freshman Nolan Rucci at left tackle, Cormac Sampson at left guard, Kayden Lyles at center, Kerry Kodanko at right guard and Trey Wedig at right tackle.
Lyles got work at center with the No. 1 unit late in practice and Sampson got a few series at center with the second unit.
“Obviously, it's hard just watching the guys go out and compete,” Beach said.
“But it has been kind of cool because I've been able to step up into more like a coaching role and kind of get a better knowledge of the game and seeing it from a different perspective.”
The reserve tackles understandably have struggled in pass protection so far in camp.
“It's just about consistency,” Beach said when asked about the younger players. “They've got to come out and do the same stuff every day.
“If you've got a guy that's doing different stuff, you don't know what you're going to get from him, he's probably not going to play.”
Beach and Bruss hope to get the opportunity to test themselves soon.