Badgers appear to be getting healthier as camp winds down and opener approaches
Jeff Potrykus
MADISON – Wisconsin’s injury list is trending downward.
Tight end Zander Neuville (right hamstring), wide receiver Jazz Peavy (left leg) and tailback Taiwan Deal (right ankle) participated in full pads Tuesday.
Neuville, who suffered the injury Aug. 3, was sidelined the longest of the trio.
“I knew right away I pulled it,” Neuville said. “I was frustrated because I knew I was going to miss some time.”
Because camp is longer this year than in previous years, the staff told Neuville not to rush back to practice prematurely.
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“That worked out in my favor,” Neuville said of the lengthy camp, which opened July 29 and is set to run through Aug. 23. “I had more time to make sure it is getting healthy.
“I don’t want it nagging me for the whole season.”
Neuville returned to practice Monday but did limited work. He went through half of practice Tuesday and after a scheduled day off Wednesday expects to be full-go Thursday.
“I’ve just got to be smart with it,” he said.
Peavy, who missed about a week of work, is UW’s No. 1 wide receiver. The staff knows what he can provide.
Deal, who missed less than a week of practice, is fighting for carries in a crowded backfield.
Chris James and Bradrick Shaw appear to be the top two choices for running backs coach John Settle.
Graduate transfer Rachid Ibrahim gives Settle a legitimate third option if Deal is sidelined, and freshman Jonathan Taylor is talented and smart.
“As soon as I get wrapped up I feel my ankle pop,” said Deal, who underwent surgery on the ankle after the Cotton Bowl. “I feel the pain. Sheesh.
“The tough thing about the ankle is that it lingers and it’s something you’ve got to be comfortable with your ankle throbbing. …
“I’m a little sore. I need to try to make it through camp to the season.”
Biadasz settles in: Redshirt freshman Tyler Biadasz, who has worked at center on the No. 1 line since the first day of camp, appears comfortable handling the line calls and leading the unit.
“I’ve liked the way Tyler Biadasz has handled himself since the day he got here,” head coach Paul Chryst said. “And I think that it is not too big for him right now, which is important.
“The way he goes about his business and practices and does that, I think other people are noticing that. There is a respect for him.
“And yet he is still young. There are things he can do to improve. And he sees that.
“I love the way he goes about it. He is fun to be around.”
Extra points: Left guard Jon Dietzen, who underwent surgery on his right ankle after the bowl game, was not in full pads Tuesday. Dietzen appears to be dealing with a left-ankle injury. …
Special teams coach Chris Haering offered encouraging words about the work of kicker Rafael Gaglianone, who missed the final 11 games last season because of a back injury. “He has had a good camp,” Haering said. “He has gotten himself back into the kicking form that we expect.”…
UW briefly broke into scout teams Saturday, the last practice open to reporters. Two young tight ends – redshirt freshman Luke Benzschawel and freshman Jake Ferguson – were reserves on the No. 1 offense.