Ty Rodgers injury update heading into March 2026

The Illini have three regular-season games left before starting postseason play, and Ty Rodgers still has yet to suit up this year. Rodgers, a starter on the Illini’s Elite Eight team, chose to redshirt the 2024-2025 season. After redshirting, Ty Rodgers chose to return to Illinois despite many expecting him to enter the transfer portal. There was certainly excitement for Rodgers, who would have brought motor, athleticism, and versatility to this Illini roster. However, Rodgers unfortunately suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee in a pickup basketball game in June 2025. After undergoing surgery, Rodgers has missed the entire season and has supposedly dealt with setbacks in the recovery process.

Illini head coach Brad Underwood provided a brief update on Ty heading into the Illini’s major matchup vs the Michigan Wolverines

Have they ruled out a return for Ty?

Brad Underwood stated, “It has everything to do with health and just getting back to 100 percent. He had some complications and some other challenges; if he had been 100 percent, we would have had some different conversations.”

When Joey Wagner of the Illini Inquirer asked Underwood if the team expects him at any point to be available, Underwood responded that Rodgers is practicing, however, not “at full strength.”

It sounds like Ty dealt with a groin injury while recovering from his injury while also dealing with muscle atrophy in his injured leg. Heading into March, it looks like Ty’s body is still not back to full strength, which likely means that Rodgers will not end up playing a game this year for the Fighting Illini.

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