Wisconsin football announced Monday morning that inside linebacker Chris Orr will be out for the season after suffering an ACL injury against LSU.
Orr was injured on LSU’s first offensive play on the game and was escorted off the field shortly afterwards. The Badgers are now down two linebackers, as T.J. Edwards continues to suffer from a foot injury and is questionable against Akron on Saturday.
After finding out he would not play again this season, Orr reportedly entered Coach Chryst’s office and told him, “Just wanted to make sure you saw me smiling today – I’ll be back.”
Now, however, Chryst is focusing on the near future, telling media on Monday that “Guys have got to step up now.”
Orr was a highly-touted part of a venerated Wisconsin defense, and many saw the linebacker having a breakout season this year. Last year, Orr was a crucial part of the Badgers core, playing in 10 games and racking up 46 tackles over the course of the season.
“It’s going to be different,” said ILB Jack Cichy on losing Orr, “but I don’t think we’ll have any fall off.”
Sophomore Ryan Connelly is second in the depth chart to Orr at the ILB position, but coach Paul Chryst has yet to discuss what the plan is following Orr’s injury.
ILB T.J. Edwards and OG Micah Kapoi are both listed as questionable against Akron.
Image courtesy of Getty.