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Wisconsin announced Thursday that running back Chez Mellusi is taking time away from the team to help his body recover from injuries.

Mellusi leads the Badgers (2-2) in rushing yards (232), carries (56) and touchdowns (three, tied with Tawee Walker). He used his medical redshirt last season, when he fractured his fibula against Purdue in Week 4.

“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,” Wisonsin’s statement read. “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.”

Mellusi played two years for Clemson before transferring to the Badgers in 2021, when he had career highs in rushing yards (815), carries (173) and touchdowns (five). He has rushed for 2,254 yards and 20 touchdowns in 47 games in his career, adding two receiving TDs.

This is another blow to the Badgers’ offense, which lost starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to a torn ACL on Sept. 16 in a loss to Alabama. Wisconsin will host Purdue on Saturday.

–Field Level Media