There was shocking news that came out of Madison, Wisconsin, on Thursday night.
Wisconsin Badgers star running back Chez Mellusi is stepping away from the program. The news was first reported by Wisconsin State Journal’s Colten Bartholomew.
According to Bartholomew’s report, Mellusi’s departure from the program is health-related: “Senior running back Chez Mellusi is stepping away from the program to continue rehabbing injuries that prevented him from playing to his expectations, according to a statement from the program,” Bartholomew said in his report.
Additionally, it does not sound like Mellusi’s departure is necessarily permanent, and a potential return is still possible. How likely a return is is still a major question at this time.
The loss is a major one for the Badgers, as Mellusi was the program’s leading rusher this season, with 232 rushing yards on 56 carries and three touchdowns.
Injuries have been a major issue for Mellusi over the last few years, only totaling 51 carries last season before suffering a gruesome ankle injury against Purdue in late September. Since arriving in Madison prior to the 2021 season, Mellusi has not played a full season with the Badgers.
In 26 career games with Wisconsin, the Florida native has totaled 392 rushing attempts for 1,827 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Nebraska is set to face Wisconsin later this season on November 23.
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