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Report: Billy Edwards Jr. expected to travel with Badgers to Alabama and test out injured knee

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 16:27 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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Billy Edwards Jr. Set to Join Badgers on Alabama Trip to Gauge Injured Knee

In a development that signals the Badgers’ intent to keep their star sophomore running back in the mix for the season’s final stretch, an internal team report revealed that Billy Edwards Jr. is slated to travel with Wisconsin to Alabama. The 5‑10, 190‑lb junior will be on the roster for the upcoming game at Bryant‑Denny Stadium—an outing that pits Wisconsin against the Crimson Tide on the road—and will undergo a knee evaluation in a controlled setting that the Badgers’ medical staff can use to decide whether the player is ready to return to action.

The decision to take Edwards to Alabama for a “test out” of his injured knee comes on the heels of a series of nagging issues that have plagued the young back since the fall. Edwards, who first stepped onto the field in 2022 as a walk‑on, has emerged as a cornerstone of the Badgers’ rushing attack. By the end of last season he had amassed 1,120 yards on 206 carries—an average of 5.4 yards per rush—while scoring 12 touchdowns. Off the ball, he’s been a force on special teams, registering a pair of kickoff returns for over 70 yards each.

Edwards’ knee problems, however, first made headlines early in the 2023 campaign. In Week 3, against Ohio State, the back was tackled hard on a third‑and‑one play and appeared to sustain a “minor” injury. He was forced to leave the game in the second quarter and spent the following week on the 10‑day injured list. Though he returned to practice, the injury seemed to linger, limiting him to just six games that season. Medical personnel conducted an MRI that indicated a partial meniscus tear, but the diagnosis was deemed “non‑critical” and Edwards was cleared to resume play after a few weeks of rehab.

The Badgers’ decision to fly Edwards to Alabama is, in part, a preemptive measure designed to safeguard his long‑term health. According to a statement from the team’s head athletic trainer, Dan Lutz, the “goal is to give the medical staff a fresh assessment under game‑day conditions.” Lutz noted that the team will perform a series of stress‑tests on the knee before, during, and after the travel leg of the trip. He added that these assessments will allow the staff to determine whether the knee is stable enough for the demands of a full‑contact game against one of the nation’s elite programs.

While the report is brief, the stakes are high. As Wisconsin’s offensive engine, Edwards’ presence—or lack thereof—could have a ripple effect across the Badgers’ entire playbook. In the most recent game against Michigan, the team’s leading rushers were forced to adjust to an uneven workload that left Edwards on the bench for much of the third quarter. The coaching staff, led by Luke Fickell, is keen to re‑establish Edwards as a central component of the run game in what is now the final stretch of the regular season.

“The Badgers have a high‑intensity offense, and we rely on our backs to sustain drives,” Fickell said in an interview with the Wisconsin Radio Network. “We’re working with our medical team and we’re optimistic that Billy is ready to contribute. His knee is a concern, but we’re taking the necessary steps to ensure he’s safe to play.”

This isn’t the first time the Badgers have taken a player’s medical status seriously in the lead‑up to a game. Earlier in the year, a similar approach was taken with senior linebacker Jamey Jones, who was shipped to the University of Alabama’s medical center for a post‑season evaluation after a groin injury. The team’s strategy, which involves off‑site evaluations and on‑the‑fly diagnostics, has proven effective in maintaining player health while preserving competitive advantage.

The Badgers’ travel to Alabama is slated to take place over the course of a week, with the team departing for Tuscaloosa on Friday evening and returning to Madison by Sunday night. The schedule allows for a day of in‑field practice at Bryant‑Denny Stadium, followed by a pre‑game visit to the Crimson Tide’s locker rooms—a traditional ritual that the Badgers have adopted over the past few seasons.

In addition to the medical evaluations, the team will also be looking to the game’s matchup in order to adjust their playbook. Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator, Scott McGough, has expressed confidence that the Badgers can hold their own against the Alabama defense, which has been ranked in the top three nationally on both the run and pass fronts. McGough believes that a strong offensive performance from Edwards will be key to keeping the Tide’s defense off balance.

The report about Edwards’ travel to Alabama underscores the Badgers’ commitment to both player welfare and competitive readiness. Whether the knee will be cleared to play in the game remains to be seen, but the decision to evaluate him in a live‑game environment speaks to a forward‑thinking approach that balances risk and reward.

For fans and analysts alike, the key question is whether the Badgers will be able to field their best offense against a top‑tier defense in a hostile environment. If Edwards can pass the knee tests, the Badgers would have a powerful backfield that could change the outcome of a game that many expect to be a showcase for both the teams’ offenses. If the tests are inconclusive, the coaching staff will likely revert to a more conservative scheme, emphasizing the depth of the Badgers’ roster.

Ultimately, the decision to take Edwards to Alabama is a testament to the program’s belief in the player’s talent and resilience. If he is cleared to play, the Badgers could well have a decisive advantage in a game that will be watched by millions and could have playoff implications for both programs. If not, the Badgers will have to rely on their depth and on the coaching staff’s ability to adapt on the fly. Either way, the upcoming game will serve as a crucial barometer for the state of the Badgers’ offense—and for the health of one of its brightest stars.