Jeff Potrykus

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Madison – Only two games into a season in which Wisconsin has climbed from unranked to the top 12 of both major football polls, Paul Chryst’s team must replace another significant contributor.

Chryst confirmed Monday that junior Natrell Jamerson, the team’s No. 3 cornerback and a standout on special teams, suffered a serious leg injury in the victory over Akron.

Notes: T.J. Edwards set for more work

Jamerson, who appeared to suffer a broken fibula in his left leg, is expected to be out for four to six weeks.

“I feel bad every time a guy gets hurt,” said Chryst, whose team hosts Georgia State at 11 a.m. Saturday and then opens Big Ten play Sept. 24 at Michigan State. “I feel bad for Trell. He is a neat kid and fun to be around.”

CHAT TRANSCRIPT: Jeff Potrykus

If Jamerson is out just four weeks, he could be ready for the Oct. 15 game against Ohio State, three games into the Big Ten season. If he is out six weeks, he could be ready to return Oct. 29 against Nebraska.

The loss of Jamerson came one week after sophomore inside linebacker Chris Orr suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on UW’s first defensive play against LSU.

“You never want to see injuries,” said redshirt sophomore inside linebacker T.J. Edwards, who missed camp and the opener while recovering from a broken left foot. “It is horrible. ... But it is our mentality – next guy up.

“That’s always been our thing with the defense. It is something we have to keep doing. It is football. Injuries happen."

Redshirt sophomore Ryan Connelly replaced Orr against LSU and recorded seven tackles in a sparkling performance. He made his first college start last week against Akron.

With the return of Edwards last week, UW again has at least three dependable players to rotate at the two inside linebacker positions – Jack Cichy, Edwards and Connelly.

How will the staff compensate for the loss of Jamerson on defense and special teams?

UW’s three reserve cornerbacks against Akron were Jamerson, junior Lubern Figaro and redshirt freshman Titus Booker.

Secondary coach Jim Leonhard and defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox appear set to use either Figaro or freshman Caesar Williams as the third cornerback this week.

Figaro and Williams were listed as the backups on the team’s depth chart on Monday. Booker was not listed.

“We’ll see how this week goes,” Chryst said.

Williams, 6 foot and 179 pounds, has not played in the first two games. However, he got extensive work with the No. 2 defense in camp and got some reps with the first unit. He consistently made plays on the ball and impressed Leonhard.

“I like the way he has handled the challenge,” Leonhard said recently. “Some guys, you throw them out with the ones (starters) and they’re not ready. I like the way he has responded.”

So do his teammates.

“He is one of those guys that came in and just competed,” senior safety Leo Musso said when asked about the work of Williams in camp. “Being a younger dude he was hungry to get in there and show what he has and he definitely did that. He was in the right spots at the right time and that is a testament to him."

Starting tailback Corey Clement, who lobbied during the off-season to help on the return units, was listed as the No. 2 kickoff returner for the first two games and on Monday was listed as the primary kickoff-return man.

Chryst insisted Monday that Clement, who suffered a minor ankle injury against Akron, would be considered for the return job.

“He’s been working on it all camp,” Chryst said. “To this point, we haven’t had a lot of kickoff returns. But absolutely he would be viable.”

Jamerson was on three other units, including punt coverage. He was the team’s best gunner on punt coverage.

“It is interesting when a guy like Natrell goes down,” Chryst said, “he is a four-phase special teamer.

“So you’ve got four different guys who will probably get an opportunity."