Luke Fickell and Wisconsin are preparing to resume the season after a bye in Week 5. Unfortunately, running back Chez Mellusi will not be available after a season-ending injury sustained against Purdue.

At his Monday press conference, Fickell touched on that absence and what to expect moving forward. Without Mellusi in the lineup, Fickell said the Badgers will use Jackson Acker and Cade Yacamelli more behind Braelon Allen.

Acker has a limited number of carries to start the season while Yacamelli is looking for his first career carry.

Acker is the only running back besides Allen and Mellusi with a carry through the first 4 games. He has 8 carries for 31 yards this season and is a former 3-star in-state prospect via Wisconsin’s 2021 recruiting class. Yacamelli joined Wisconsin as a 3-star athlete out of Pennsylvania in the 2022 recruiting class.

The loss of Mellusi undoubtedly stings as a part of the 2-headed backfield with Allen. Now, it’s time for Allen to shoulder more of the load with one of the other players stepping up.

Wisconsin’s first glimpse at the team without Mellusi comes Saturday against Rutgers.