Breaking: Wisconsin Badgers Receive Devastating Injury News After Sideling Another Top Veteran
The initial injury report for the Wisconsin Badgers ahead of Week 1 brings a mix of positives and setbacks.
During his first weekly press conference of the season, Luke Fickell revealed that one offensive starter will miss the opener against Miami (OH), while another player will also be sidelined.
#Badgers starting center Jake Renfro will play in Thursday's opener against Miami after missing some time at fall camp with an injury.
TE Tucker Ashcraft remains sidelined with an unknown timetable to return.
— Kedrick Stumbris (@KedrickStumbris) August 25, 2025
Center Jake Renfro, who was carted off during a fall camp practice in early August with what seemed like a knee injury, missed several weeks of practice. However, Fickell said on Monday that Renfro has been back practicing for the past four or five days and is expected to resume his role anchoring the offensive line.
Renfro’s return is a big boost for the line, providing a veteran leader. He’s on the preseason Rimington Award watch list, and ESPN considers him a potential breakout player for Wisconsin.
On the other hand, tight end Tucker Ashcraft hasn’t been as lucky. Fickell isn’t sure how long Ashcraft will be sidelined but confirmed that the Badgers will be without their top tight end for at least the season opener.
Fickell says they aren’t sure how long TE Tucker Ashcraft will be out. He was at practice today on a scooter with his left foot/ankle in a walking boot.
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) August 16, 2025
Filling Ashcraft’s spot, the Badgers have named transfer Lance Mason and converted running back Jackson Acker as co-starters on the Week 1 depth chart.
Mason is stronger as a receiver than as a blocker, often playing an off-ball role unlike Ashcraft. This means Acker may need to take on a larger share of blocking responsibilities in Jeff Grimes’ wide-zone offensive scheme.
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