The Wisconsin Badgers staff announced that a key tight end will be shutdown for the rest of fall camp following an injury in practice.
Tucker Ashcraft, arguably the second overall tight end on the roster behind Lance Mason, suffered a lower body injury during practice that gave the staff a scare. The exact injury and the extent of the injury are unknown at the moment.
After evaluating the injury, the staff concluded that shutting down the tight end for the rest of camp would be the most logical decision in an effort to air on the side of caution.
Currently, Ashcraft is expected to be ready for the start of the season, which is two weeks away, but his exact availability and if he will actually be ready for the opener is not known. If Ashcraft is not ready for the start of the season, Wisconsin will have quite a few players prepared to fill the void.
Wisconsin Badgers Shutdown Tucker Ashcraft For Remainder of Fall Camp Following Injury
With Ashcraft out for the rest of the Badgers fall camp, the main focus at tight end with be on both Lance Mason and Emmett Bork. Mason is currently expected to be the starter at the position, but joined the team late and has been working double time to get up to speed. Bork, however, is a true freshman and someone the staff previously had been impressed with early on in camp.
Tight end is a valuable position within the new Wisconsin Badgers offense under coordinator Jeff Grimes, who utilizes a powerful and versatile style. Ashcraft provides a great layer of support to the offense which tends to utilize multiple tight end sets.
For the Wisconsin Badgers, making sure Ashcraft is healthy and ready to play at the start of the season is crucial due to the development of the tight end. Tanner Koziol transferred into the program for a short period of time and was expected to start, but transferred back out which caused Wisconsin to go after Missouri State transfer Lance Mason.
Mason was a late addition and has not been with the program for as long as the other transfer portal additions. The Badgers have been pleasantly surprised with how quickly Mason is getting up to speed, but having a capable backup who understands the offense deeply is vital.
Bork would be a great option to takeover for Ashcraft should he be out for the start of the season, but would not come with the same game experience that Ashcraft possesses. The young tight end has been very impressive but may still need time before hitting the field and receiving meaningful snaps with the offense.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter (X) @JarrettGuerrera, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on all things Wisconsin sports, click here
