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Bret Bielema updates Luke Altmyer’s injury progress, QB outlook for Week 12
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Bret Bielema could have a starting quarterback decision to make when it comes to Week 12 vs. Iowa. At his Monday press conference, Bielema said starting QB Luke Altmyer was not cleared by protocol to return against Indiana, but the QB is expected to be cleared this week.
Though not officially out of protocol, Bielema said Altmyer did some non-contact throwing on Sunday and looked good:
“He was in a position where he could be no contact on Saturday. Didn’t want to put him out there… We don’t normally go out on the grass on Sunday, but we took him with the wideouts and did some stuff he looked really really good on,” said Bielema. “He can’t be officially cleared until he goes through a couple protocol things during the week.”
Altmyer’s next official test will be on Tuesday. If he has no issues, Bielema says the QB should be cleared and could play a game on Wednesday if needed.
As for the starting QB decision, Illinois turned to John Paddock late against Minnesota and with the start against Indiana. He delivered with a game-winning drive against the Gophers and threw for over 500 yards with 4 touchdowns against the Hoosiers. That included a walk-off touchdown for the win in overtime.
Bielema said the Illini will likely have a clear idea on the plan toward the middle of the week, but he expects to have a firm decision as the team gets closer to the game.
“I think we’ll just take it to that approach. I’ve never been a coach that has ever put a player in a position they have lost by injury,” said Bielema. “Obviously, John has played exceptionally well from the time he entered the game two weeks ago against Minnesota to the game he had last week. I think our guys will know the plan very clear Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and then I’ll make a decision as we get closer.”
Whoever does get the start will have to deal with Iowa’s offense inside Kinnick Stadium in Week 12. However, a win for Illinois would keep the team in contention for a share of the B1G West title heading into the final week of the regular season.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.