Illinois Football: Week 5 Injury Report Update

Bielema Updates on the Health Status of Illinois Football

Illinois Football will need all the help they can get, in their attempt to take down #9 Penn State on the Road. Staying healthy prior to Saturday’s highly anticipated matchup will be key to the Illini giving themselves a fighting chance.

Head Coach Bret Bielema spoke to the media on Monday, providing an update on the current health status of the team, as they prepare for the highly regarded Nittany Lions.

Sep 20, 2024; Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

IR Update From Bielema

“Really excited about the week behind us. We stayed out of it pretty healthy,” says Bielema, about last week’s upset of Nebraska.

“Henry Boyer was right on the verge of playing, we actually traveled him. It’s been my policy pretty much if you’re not gonna play, you’re not gonna travel. We wanted to give Henry the chance to get cleared, but he couldn’t get cleared in time for the game.” Furthermore, Bielema concludes “He Should be with us in practice tomorrow (9/24).”

“T-Strain (Tyler Strain) and Adian Laughery played extremely well for the reps they got in there, we didn’t have any setbacks with them,” states Bielema. Strain (DB) and Laughery (RB) have battled early-season injuries after setbacks in 2023, and therefore have been fighting to get back into competition for game reps. It’s certainly great to see the talented duo improving week to week, and available as depth for Penn State.

“Had a couple of guys get some soft tissue things, just during the game, and no one of significance. Actually, Zakhari (Franklin) was cleared to go back in, and the way we ran in overtime, we didn’t need it.” Bielema says referring to the lower body injury that sidelined Franklin against the Huskers. Certainly great to hear that #4 will be full go for the Nittany Lions on Saturday.

Bielema Concludes his report, “Defensively we had a couple of guys who were out momentarily, but, we brought them back.”

Credit: Fighting Illini Athletics - Illinois Football

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