Report: Wisconsin QB Billy Edwards not likely to play against No. 19 Alabama

Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards is unlikely to play against Alabama.

According to ESPN, Edwards is set to travel with the team to Tuscaloosa and attempt to participate in warmups but “faces long odds” to play against the No. 19 Crimson Tide. If Edwards is unable to play, backup Danny O’Neil would get the start.

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Edwards has been sidelined since he left Wisconsin’s Week 1 win over Miami (Ohio) with a non-contact knee injury. Edwards planted in the backfield and fell down and didn’t return to the game. However, he avoided a serious injury and is anticipated to return to the field at some point in 2025.

Wisconsin is a 20.5-point underdog at Alabama in the second game of their home-and-home series. Alabama went to Wisconsin in 2024 and won 42-10.

O'Neil replaced Edwards against Miami and started the team's Week 2 win over Middle Tennessee State.

Edwards transferred to Wisconsin after the 2024 season. He spent the first three seasons of his career at Maryland and was the Terrapins’ primary starting quarterback in 2024. A season ago, he was 273-of-420 passing for 2,881 yards and 15 TDs with nine interceptions.

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Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell’s time with the Badgers has been marred by quarterback injuries. In 2023, QB Tanner Mordecai missed three games with a broken hand after his throwing hand hit another player’s helmet. In 2024, former Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke’s Wisconsin career ended just three games into the season when he suffered a torn ACL against Alabama.

The Badgers have one of the toughest schedules in the country in 2025 as they look to win more than seven games for the first time under Fickell. In addition to Alabama, Wisconsin has games against No. 23 Michigan, No. 1 Ohio State, No. 4 Oregon, No. 22 Indiana and No. 9 Illinois.