Tag: news

Saints rule out their starting center with another injury vs. Packers

The New Orleans Saints ruled out their starting center against the Packers. Erik McCoy is dealing with another injury:

Things went from bad to worse for Erik McCoy. The New Orleans Saints’ starting center injured his right elbow on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers and was initially able to return after being labeled as questionable by the team.

But McCoy was only in the game briefly before he exited again, and this time he was ruled out altogether. Backup Shane Lemieux stepped in for him.

McCoy earned his first Pro Bowl nod a year ago but his follow-up season has been full of frustration. He was the linchpin of Klint Kubiak’s offense, having been tasked with reading the defense and adjusting protection pre-snap to take pressure off his quarterback. Those plans were derailed by an early-season groin injury that required surgery and put him out of action for more than a month. Now he’s dealing with another injury with just two more games left on the season.

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Wisconsin top transfer defensive lineman predicted to sign with a Big Ten rival

This could be a significant development

Wisconsin transfer defensive lineman Curt Neal is expected to sign with Illinois, a development first reported by 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz.

Neal entered the portal this month after three years with the Badgers. He redshirted in 2022 before growing into a significant starting role in 2023 and 2024. He’s in the portal, and likely heading to Illinois, with two years of eligibility remaining.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 transfer portal departure tracker

On3 ranks Neal as a three-star transfer, the No. 901 player in the portal and the No. 84 defensive lineman.

He is projected to join an Illinois program that will face the Badgers in 2025: Nov. 22 at Camp Randall Stadium. The Fighting Illini finished the 2024 regular season with a 9-3 record. The team is a bowl win away from its first 10-win season since 2001.

Wisconsin transfer pass-rusher Leon Lowery already committed to Illinois this cycle. This news continues what will be an interesting storyline through the offseason: Bret Bielema, Wisconsin’s former coach, is rebuilding his defense with former Wisconsin players.

Neal produced 42 tackles, five tackles for loss and 1/2 sack in two seasons as one of Wisconsin’s top defensive linemen. While Wisconsin has addressed the position, his departure had the largest impact of the transfer cycle to date.

For more on Wisconsin’s transfer departures and where they end up, bookmark our 2024 transfer departure tracker.

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Wisconsin hosts NAIA transfer cornerback on official visit

Wisconsin hosts NAIA transfer cornerback on official visit

Wisconsin hosted Marian transfer cornerback Dwight Lewis on an official visit this week.

With one year of eligibility remaining, Lewis appears to be one of the program’s several transfer targets at the position. That position is arguably the Badgers’ biggest remaining need after the recent departures of Xavier Lucas, Jonas Duclona, Amare Snowden and others.

Related: Tracking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal offers, interests and commitments

Lewis entered the portal this month after four years at Marian, two as one of its top starting cornerbacks. His 2024 campaign included 25 tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, four interceptions and two pass deflections.

Wisconsin has hosted both Lewis and Grand Valley State cornerback Devin Pringle in recent days. Both would be write-in starters at the position as they look to transfer their significant success to the Big Ten level.

For more on Wisconsin’s transfer targets, specifically at cornerback, check out our transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

BREAKING: Wisconsin beats USC for commitment from top FCS transfer wide receiver

Wisconsin lands a commitment from a promising transfer receiver

Wisconsin landed a commitment from Idaho transfer wide receiver Mark Hamper on Friday.

The top Football Championship Subdivision transfer chose the Badgers over top programs including Big Ten rival USC. He is the program’s 13th transfer commitment of the cycle and the second wide receiver, joining Ohio State transfer Jayden Ballard.

Related: Tracking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal offers, interests and commitments

Hamper commits to the Badgers after a breakout redshirt freshman season at Idaho. He totaled 48 receptions, 966 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns during the campaign — including three catches for 57 yards in the Vandals’ narrow Week 1 loss to Oregon. He joins the program with three years of eligibility remaining.

The 6’2″ wide receiver shouldn’t have much trouble seeing the field with the Badgers. The team has snaps available at the position after the recent transfer departures of starters Will Pauling and C.J. Williams. Both he and Ballard should lead the boundary receiver position across from returning starter Vinny Anthony.

https://twitter.com/mark_hamper/status/1870113926312317131

Wisconsin continues to utilize the transfer portal to bolster its offensive personnel entering a pivotal 2025 campaign. Additions at quarterback, tight end and wide receiver will aid new coordinator Jeff Grimes as he returns the program to its classic pro-style approach, departing from Phil Longo’s air raid scheme.

The Badgers’ new-look offensive depth chart appears well-equipped to make that transition.

Luke Fickell and his staff will likely direct primary focus to the defensive side of the football with major remaining needs at cornerback and linebacker. For more on those pursuits, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from top D-III transfer safety

Another big transfer commitment for the Badgers

Wisconsin landed a commitment from Bethel (D-III) transfer safety Matt Jung on Thursday.

The fast-rising prospect is the Badgers’ 12th transfer commitment of the cycle. He is the second safety in that group, joining Richmond transfer Matthew Traynor.

Related: Tracking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal offers, interests and commitments

Jung chose the Badgers over other transfer offers from Football Bowl Subdivision schools including Buffalo, Iowa State and Washington State. He was also reportedly set for an official visit to Iowa.

The D-III First Team All-American tallied 109 tackles, 10 1/2 tackles for loss, 2 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles, nine interceptions and 11 pass deflections in 2024. That production followed a 72-tackle, seven-interception, 4-1/2-tackle-for-loss, eight-pass-deflection 2023 campaign.

He joins the Badgers with two years of eligibility remaining.

Notably, Jung is originally from Neenah, Wisconsin. He was a high school teammate with Wisconsin class of 2025 signee Grant Dean. Those in-state ties likely played a role in his decision to join the Badgers.

Jung joins a Wisconsin safety room in need of a boost after losing star Hunter Wohler (NFL draft) after the 2024 season. Preston Zachman and Traynor project to start. If Jung can translate his D-III production to the FBS level, he shouldn’t have any trouble seeing the field.

For more on Wisconsin’s transfer pursuits and remaining needs, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Saints sign former LSU star, ex-Chiefs first-round draft pick

The New Orleans Saints signed former LSU star Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The ex-Chiefs first-round draft pick arrives after an injury to Alvin Kamara:


The New Orleans Saints have made a move at the running back position, after Alvin Kamara’s groin injury. The team signed former LSU star Clyde Edwards-Helaire, adding depth to the running back room, announcing that defensive tackle Kendall Vickers was let go from the practice squad to make room.

Edwards-Helaire started his career with the Kansas City Chiefs as the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. In his first season with the team, he got off to a hot start totaling 1,100 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns in 13 games. In the following year, Edwards-Helaire still proved to be productive in scoring six touchdowns in ten games but his yardage numbers would dip down a bit.

With the emergence of Isiah Pacheco in 2022, Edwards-Helaire saw his opportunities lessen significantly as a result and there would be more of the same in 2023. This season however, he would spend the majority on the NFI list as he’s battled with post-traumatic stress disorder.

At only 25 years old though, Edwards-Helaire likely has a lot of tread left on the tires and could provide some decent depth behind what will likely be Kendre Miller and Jamaal Williams on Monday night in Green Bay. It will be interesting to see if he’ll fit in as a spell back potentially with Kamara possibly out this week.

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Former Saints quarterback plans to make NFL return

Former Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater plans to make an NFL return, then head back to coach high school football in February:

Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, now head coach of Miami Northwestern High School in Florida, has announced that he may be returning to the NFL in a playing capacity for a few months while he has availability from now until February when he returns to coach.

This news came live on The Insiders show from NFL Media, where Bridgewater said the following when asked about “Coach Teddy’s upcoming plans.”

“Coach Teddy, hopefully I mean, we’ll see how these next week and a half two weeks play out,” Bridgewater said. “Might be signing with a team or something, and then returning back to coach high school football in February. So, we’ll see.”

Then when asked if he is coming back to the NFL or going pro somewhere, he responded with, “That’s the plan man, my team know that’s the plan. We wanted to win a state championship, and then coach goes back to the league, see what happens, and then come back February in the offseason, continue coaching high school football. So, we’ll see how it plays out.”

Ultimately the next few weeks will indicate where he signs next, and the likelihood of a playoff contender he knows well like the Detroit Lions being a landing spot for his return is speculatively possible. The Saints could use better depth at quarterback given Derek Carr’s injury, too. Regardless of where he goes next, Bridgewater will forever have a legacy with New Orleans.

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Wisconsin predicted to land top transfer quarterback, former Big Ten starter

Some big news on the heels of Wisconsin landing QB Danny O’Neil

Wisconsin is making major noise on the transfer portal recruiting trail.

The program has landed five transfer commitments since last Friday, those coming from San Diego State quarterback Danny O’Neil, Western Michigan defensive lineman Corey Walker, Louisville edge rusher Mason Reiger, Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol and Tulane defensive lineman Parker Petersen.

Related: Tracking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal offers, interests and commitments

All five additions fulfill major areas of need on the Badgers’ roster — none bigger than quarterback.

O’Neil projects to be Wisconsin’s backup in 2025. He transfers to the program with three years of eligibility remaining after starting as a true freshman in 2024.

Who exactly fills the starting role is still unclear as of Dec. 16. But there are indications that a commitment is imminent: On3 recruiting insiders Steve Wiltfong and Pete Nakos recently logged predictions for former Maryland starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. to choose the Badgers, flipping from their original pick of Michigan.

This news comes on the heels of Wisconsin hosting Edwards Jr. on an official visit over the weekend.

Edwards Jr. is in the portal after three years with the Terrapins. He was their starter in 2024, completing 65% of his passes for 2,881 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He was one of the only bright spots on a Maryland team that finished the year 4-8.

Edwards Jr. was also set to take a transfer visit to Michigan, though 247Sports’ Chris Hummer reports that he will no longer do so. The service is also reporting that he will still visit Virginia.

Edwards Jr.’s recruitment is worth monitoring with the Badgers now appearing to be the favorite. If he commits, he would give Wisconsin a sure-fire starting option in 2025 with O’Neil and top class of 2025 signee Carter Smith next in line moving into 2026 and beyond.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from accomplished transfer defensive lineman

Wisconsin picks up another significant transfer addition on defense.

Wisconsin landed a commitment from Western Michigan transfer defensive lineman Corey Walker on Monday.

Walker is the Badgers’ fourth portal addition of the last week, joining Louisville edge rusher Mason Reiger, Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol and Tulane defensive lineman Parker Petersen. With Petersen, he fills an important position of need on the Badgers’ 2025 roster.

Related: Tracking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal offers, interests and commitments

Walker entered the portal after four years at Western Michigan, two as a starter. His impressive 2023 and 2024 campaigns include 23 starts, 70 tackles (39 solo), 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks, nine pass deflections and one forced fumble.

Those are significant numbers from an interior defensive line position. His 2024 production of seven tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks would have led Wisconsin’s defense in each category. It has been well-documented how badly the Badgers’ 2024 unit struggled getting to the quarterback (No. 121 in the nation with 1.3 sacks per game). Walker’s addition is a big step toward fixing that reality in 2025.

He commits to the program with one year of eligibility remaining.

Walker and Petersen project to lead a Wisconsin defense line room that lost most of its production from the 2024 season. Veterans Ben Barten and Brandon Lane, plus underclassmen Jamel Howard and Dillan Johnson figure to play into that 2025 rotation.

Defensive line was arguably the program’s biggest portal need entering the offseason — next to a starting quarterback. Luke Fickell and his staff have done well in addressing it, highlighted by the addition of Walker.

For more on Wisconsin’s transfer commitments and interests, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from Tulane transfer defensive lineman

Wisconsin with another big-time portal addition

Wisconsin landed a commitment from Tulane transfer defensive lineman Parker Petersen on Sunday.

Petersen is the program’s third transfer commitment of the cycle, joining Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol and Louisville defensive end Mason Reiger.

Related: Tracking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal offers, interests and commitments

The redshirt junior defensive lineman entered the portal after four years at Tulane. He originally joined the program as a three-star recruit in its class of 2021.

Petersen’s 2024 season was by far his best. He tallied 21 tackles (14 solo), five tackles for loss and 2 1/2 sacks as a primary member of the team’s defensive line rotation. 247Sports’ Chris Hummer called him “One of the top interior (defensive) linemen in the American (Athletic Conference)” from the 2024 season.

Of note, he chose the Badgers over transfer offers from Notre Dame, USC and Auburn. He commits to Wisconsin with one year of eligibility remaining.

Petersen and Reiger fill important needs along Wisconsin’s defensive front. Reiger joins as more of a pass-rushing defensive end, while Petersen should play a major role in the interior.

That interior group will look entirely different in 2025 after the departures of James Thompson Jr. (portal), Curt Neal (portal) and Elijah Hills (eligibility). Wisconsin found success in landing Hills from Albany before the 2024 season. Petersen projects to have a similar impact. He also brings a track record of strong production at a successful Group of Five program.

The Badgers have already done well in the portal addressing major roster needs. To stay up to date on all of the latest news and rumors, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.