Illinois' Wilson out for season with neck injury
CHAMPAIGN - Illinois starting middle linebacker Martez Wilson will miss the remainder of the season with a neck injury, leaving an already unsteady defense with a major hole to fill.
Illinois coach Ron Zook said Thursday that Wilson will have yet-to-be-scheduled surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck. Neither the team nor the player is sure when the injury happened, but it kept Wilson out of last Saturday's 45-17 win over Illinois State.
"Of course, I am upset and frustrated, but you can't control injuries," Wilson said in a printed statement. "I was really looking forward to being a leader on this defense, but I can still do that from the sidelines.
Zook said he feels particularly bad for Wilson, who had moved from outside linebacker to middle linebacker.
"He worked so hard and had such a great offseason," Zook said. "I'm really proud of him for that. You never want to see injuries happen, but we feel that we were able to catch this in time to ensure a successful surgery and recovery for Martez."
The team plans to apply for a redshirt season for Wilson, who is a junior, so he would have two years of eligibility left, spokeswoman Cassie Arner said.
Recovery after the surgery, including rehab, is expected to take anywhere from three to seven months, she said.
Wilson can't trace his injury to any particular play or practice.
"He started feeling pain after the Missouri game," she said of the season-opening loss to the Tigers. Wilson played most of that game.
Sophomore Russell Ellington filled in for Wilson last Saturday, finishing with eight tackles, an interception and two pass breakups. But Arner said Zook plans for redshirt sophomore Evan Frierson, who has one tackle so far this season in two appearances, to step into Wilson's role.
The Illini (1-1) gave up 442 yards of offense in the 37-9 loss to Missouri, including 319 passing yards, and allowed 398 yards against Illinois State, 354 of it through the air.
The Illini are off Saturday before traveling to Ohio State on Sept. 26.
The 6-4, 240-pound Wilson came to Illinois from Chicago's Simeon Academy after drawing interest from Ohio State, Notre Dame and other schools.