Badgers provide important injury updates after final open fall practice

The Wisconsin Badgers completed their final open practice of fall camp on Saturday, which was conducted in a scrimmage-like format, and are now focusing on preparing for the upcoming season.

One of the big focuses throughout fall camp was the injury to right tackle Riley Mahlman, as the starter missed the second half of camp with a lower leg injury, causing the Badgers to play with a combination of Kevin Heywood and Barrett Nelson at tackle.

Despite the injury, the coaching staff has repeatedly stated that they do not believe it is a serious cause for concern, but the number of days missed continued to mount.

What was head coach Luke Fickell’s diagnosis of the situation after the last open training?

“I don't believe [there’s any concern still with Riley Mahlman’s injury]” Fickell said Saturday. “I think he could have done a little bit more today. You know, we decided that probably wasn't the best thing to do. So, you know, we feel good. But again, that's what's going to make the next 10 days really important for us.”

There are a few guys like that. I don't think Jake Chaney played that much tonight. I don't think Hunter [Wohler] played so much today. And all that we, you know, wanted to do and achieve a lot to support a lot of other guys in these situations.”

In addition to Mahlman, two players were limited toward the end of training camp: outside linebacker Aaron Witt and inside linebacker Christian Alliegro.

What does Fickell think about these two situations?

“We have to find out in the next 10 days because there are a few guys who are in that situation,” Fickell said. “Aaron [Witt] was a little ill in the camp earlier. Christian [Alliegro]I think it was the last scrimmage we had outside of Platteville where he pulled a little hamstring. I expect he'll be fine next week. It might have been one today that we could have pushed, but we didn't need to. Not that he doesn't need the reps, but there's that balance between what's smart and where you try to push him too hard. But that's what the next, really, the next eight, nine days are going to be key for us.”

Overall, it's pretty impressive that the Badgers didn't have that many injuries in training camp considering how incredibly hard they trained.

For context, I recently spent two weeks at the San Francisco 49ers training camp and the intensity was much different than Wisconsin. They didn't have nearly as many live replays, but the 49ers are still considered one of the hardest-practicing teams in the NFL.

The fact that Wisconsin has prepared so intensively for the season and yet has not suffered many injuries is a credit to the strength and conditioning staff led by Brady Collins, who keeps the group in shape so that they can maintain the effects of this training on the body.

But Mahlman's injury doesn't seem to be a major concern for the staff, even though he doesn't seem to be anywhere near 100 percent right now, which is a good sign for the offensive line.

Witt and Alliegro seem to be closer to being ready to play, which will be important for the rotations in their respective positions.

The Badgers seem to be in good shape for the fall, but caution is needed regarding potential injuries.