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Bret Bielema provides potential timeline for Josh McCray’s return to the field
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Bret Bielema has some lukewarm news for his fan base. The Illinois head coach provided an update for running back Josh McCray.
According to Bielema, McCray is not out for the season but is definitely until the first bye week for the Illini. That bye comes in Week 3.
#illini Bret Bielema: RB Josh McCray still "out for this week."
Not a season-ending injury but it's about how his body handles certain stressors. Won't come back before first bye week for sure.
Shawn Miller still going through evaluations.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) August 31, 2022
The Fighting Illini will need to figure out a plan without McCray this week against Indiana, something OC Barry Lunney Jr. addressed with the media Wednesday. McCray is also expected to miss Illinois’ game against Virginia.
According to Bielema’s timeline, McCray could rest up for the team’s bye week before coming back against Chattanooga on Sept. 22.
Regardless, it is a big loss for Illinois in the backfield. The 6-foot-1, 240-pound back can be a bruiser and complement Chase Brown.
McCray rushed for 40 yards on 10 carries in Illinois’ win over Wyoming. Brown led the way with 19 touches for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns.
This could be a problem for Illinois in the long term. The coaching staff will surely like to keep Brown as fresh as possible over the course of the season.
If McCray’s injury lingers, it could thin the Fighting Illini’s backfield even more.