Wisconsin could be without its leading rusher for the rest of the season.
The Badgers said Thursday that Chez Mellusi would step away from the team in an attempt to “get his body back.” Mellusi has rushed for 232 yards so far this season.
“He has suffered many injuries and has worked very hard to be able to play this year, but his body has not responded as expected,” a statement from the program said. “We are here to support Chez in any way we can and hope that one day he will return to the football field.”
Mellusi suffered a fractured fibula in September 2023 and missed the remainder of the season. It was the latest in a significant list of injuries Mellusi has suffered in his college career. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in 2021 and broke a bone in his arm in 2022.
He announced in December that he had missed his chance to declare for the NFL draft for one more season at Wisconsin.
The Clemson transfer has rushed for 2,254 yards in six seasons. He spent two seasons with the Tigers in 2019 and 2020 and totaled 427 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns. He rushed for 815 yards in 2021 with the Badgers and had five touchdowns.
If Mellusi does not return to the team in 2024, he would have the opportunity 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 in the team’s 42-10 Week 3 loss to Alabama. Wisconsin is 2-2 with losses against Alabama and USC heading into its Saturday home game against Purdue.