UW's Chikwe Obasih close to return; Jazz Peavy taking time off for injury, personal issues

MADISON - One senior is moving closer to returning to the Wisconsin lineup.

Another senior appears further than ever from returning to the field and there is no guarantee he will be back. 

Defensive end Chikwe Obasih, who has missed six games since suffering a left knee injury in practice, is set to return to practice this week. He is listed as questionable on the team’s preliminary report for Illinois. 

“I don’t know how the practices will go for him,” UW coach Paul Chryst said Monday. “The more you do, just want to see how things respond. But I know the players are excited.”

Wide receiver Jazz Peavy, who has missed the last two games to rest a nagging right ankle injury, is out indefinitely. 

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“He is working through his ankle injury and is also going to take some time away to work through some personal things,” Chryst explained. 

Peavy, who last season led the team in receiving yards (635) and touchdown receptions (five) and finished second on the team in receptions (43), quietly tried to fight through the injury before being held out two games ago against Purdue. 

He has five catches for 55 yards this season, and it appears the injury and desire to contribute more in his final season have taken a toll. 

The return of Obasih, even in a limited role, should boost the defensive line. He has started 31 games and played in 42.

“I know Chikwe is just a guy who goes all-out no matter what,” inside linebacker T.J. Edwards said. “Just him being out here with us is going to bring a huge emotional and physical boost to our team.” 

Redshirt freshman Isaiahh Loudermilk had filled in for Obaish but was slowed by injuries to his right knee and left leg. He did not play Saturday against Maryland and is out this week.

“It will be huge if he can (play),” safety D’Cota Dixon said of Obasih. “Now we’re at that point in the season where guys are starting to fall apart (physically) and you need guys to step up. That is just part of the game, the nature of the beast.

“It will be huge to have anybody … the biggest thing is just keeping everybody healthy.”

Tailback Taiwan Deal (right ankle) and reserve safety Patrick Johnson (right shoulder) will miss the remainder of the season.

Deal had surgery on his ankle after the Cotton Bowl. He hurt the ankle in camp, however, and has not played this season. According to Chryst, Deal suffered a setback during practice and after a subsequent examination it was determined he needed more surgery.

Tailback Chris James (left leg), wide receiver Danny Davis (left leg) and kicker P.J. Rosowski (right leg) are all questionable this week. 

James, who has rushed 29 times for 148 yards, has missed the last two games. Davis, who has seven receptions for 160 yards and a touchdown, was held out last week against Purdue. Rosowski hasn't played since injuring his quad in practice after the opener. 

“Guys are getting excited and I think it is because of how he has handled it and how he has stayed engaged,” Chryst said of Obasih. “Physically, I don’t think you put a limit – because you’re coming back, this is the amount you’ll do or won’t do. Although you know that is part of it. 

“(Tuesday) and Wednesday will be more physical practices. I think you try to follow the lead of how he is feeling. It is pretty neat to have him back because you do know that he has missed a chunk of his season.

“It is good energy because guy care about him.”