Graham Mertz could be a go this weekend for Wisconsin at Michigan. Or he could not be.

The Wisconsin quarterback should be set to clear COVID-19 protocols this week ahead of Saturday’s game against Michigan. Mertz has been filling in for the injured Jack Coan, the presumptive starter coming into the season.

Mertz should be ready, but the Wisconsin staff is playing mum about who will start, perhaps a bit of gamesmanship ahead of this weekend’s game.

“I think he’ll be able to have some practice. We’ll see if it’s enough practice time,” said Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst according to Michigan’s Rivals site. “You don’t know that. Each guy is different. How do they handle all of that? We’ll see on him.”

The Badgers, No. 13 in the nation and 1-0, saw last weekend’s game against Purdue cancelled as the coronavirus hit the program. Now with a number of starters and key players on the two-deep returning from the protocol, the Badgers should be in much better shape against Michigan.

Two weeks ago in his first collegiate start, Mertz, a true freshman completed 20-of-21 passes for 248 yards with five touchdowns in a 45-7 win against Illinois.

Mertz is a four-star recruit who was ranked the third best pro-style quarterback in the nation.

Michigan, ranked No. 23 in the nation before losing to Indiana last week, is the start of a difficult schedule for Wisconsin. After the Wolverines, they play No. 23 Northwestern then a good Minnesota program followed by No. 10 Indiana with Iowa as their season finale.