Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi is stepping away from the team in an attempt to heal from injuries, the team announced Thursday. Mellusi leads the Badgers in carries (56), yards (232) and is tied with Oklahoma transfer Tawee Walker for the team lead in rushing touchdowns (three).
"We want to let people know that Chez is going to be stepping away from the team for now and working to get his body healthy," the team's statement reads. "He's endured many injuries and has worked extremely hard to be able to play this year, but his body hasn't responded the way he expected. We're here to support Chez in any way we can and hope he'll be back on the football field again one day."
Since he's already used his redshirt season, Mellusi would likely need to produce medical documentation of an injury that prevents him from playing to receive another year of eligibility from the NCAA.
Mellusi started his career at Clemson, playing two years with the Tigers before transferring to Wisconsin. He has rushed for 2,254 yards in a career that has been hampered by injuries. His best season came in 2021 when he played in nine games, rushed for 817 yards and scored five touchdowns. He logged a career-high 149 yards on the ground in the Badgers' upset of No. 25 Purdue that year.
The loss marks another major blow to the Badgers offense. Wisconsin lost starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to an ACL tear in the team's Sept. 16 loss to Alabama.
Walker, Cade Yacamelli and Darrion Dupree will likely all see more work in Mellusi's absence. Yacamelli is second on the team in rushing yards with 153 and first by far in yards per carry at 7.1.
Wisconsin hosts Purdue Saturday at noon ET.
