Wisconsin LB Taylor out for season
MILWAUKEE -- Wisconsin linebacker Mike Taylor suffered a "significant" injury to his right knee against Iowa and will miss the rest of the season.
Coach Bret Bielema confirmed Taylor's season-ending injury on Tuesday during the Big Ten coaches' conference call. Wisconsin lost 20-10 to then-No. 11 Iowa on Saturday. Taylor came into the game leading Wisconsin in tackles (43).
"The good thing for us is Mike's only a redshirt freshman. He'll have three quality years in front of him," Bielema said. "We'll help him get through this difficult time and we've got some of the best doctors in the country and will be able to get him back sooner than later."
Wisconsin (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) has lost two straight, but has a week off before playing Purdue on Oct. 31.
"This comes at a good week for us to have a bye week," the coach said. "Just to get ourselves healthy, regroup. We've got a four-game Big Ten schedule in front of us that's very challenging. We'll have an opportunity to sit back this week and get a little extra preparation on Purdue."
Bielema also said Tuesday that top running back John Clay spent time in a walking boot after the game. Clay has been struggling with a right ankle sprain most of the season and was buckled over early against the Hawkeyes. He returned and ran for 75 yards, but wasn't the same after the injury.
Bielema said Clay was no longer wearing a boot on Tuesday.
"He was a little bit sore. I know he'll get reps this week, I don't know how much," Bielema said. "Like a couple of other offensive guys, we'll really take a look at what we're doing with them physically, just to let them get (their) bodies back to being healthy."
Wisconsin has been hit hard recently by injuries.
Besides Taylor and Clay, backup running back Zach Brown (concussion) missed the game and top tight end Garrett Graham (concussion) also was hurt. Graham is tied for the team lead with 29 receptions.
Bielema expected Clay and Graham to return to practice this week. Brown had practiced last week.