Wisconsin could be without its leading rusher for the rest of the season.
The Badgers said Thursday that Chez Mellusi would leave the team in an effort to “get his body healthy.” Mellusi has rushed for 232 yards so far this season.
“He has suffered many injuries and has worked extremely hard to play this year, but his body has not responded as he expected,” a statement from the program said. “We are here to support Chez in any way we can and hope he will be back on the football field one day.”
Mellusi suffered a broken fibula in September 2023 and missed the rest of the season. It was the latest in a significant list of injuries Mellusi has suffered during his college career. He tore the cruciate ligament in his left knee in 2021 and broke a bone in his arm in 2022.
He announced in December that he had passed on the opportunity to declare for the NFL draft for another session at Wisconsin.
The Clemson transfer has racked up 2,254 yards in six seasons. He spent two seasons with the Tigers in 2019 and 2020, totaling 427 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He rushed for 815 yards with the Badgers in 2021 and had five touchdowns.
If Mellusi does not return to the team in 2024, he would have the option to ask the NCAA for a seventh season of eligibility. Mellusi has appeared in four games — the most a player can play while still redshirting — and has 56 carries for 232 yards.
Mellusi’s absence also means Wisconsin will move forward without its best quarterback and running back. Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke suffered a season-ending knee injury during the team’s 42-10 Week 3 loss to Alabama. Wisconsin is 2-2 with losses to Alabama and USC ahead of their game Saturday at home vs. Purdue.
