There will be no battle royale between senior wide outs Lee Evans and Charles Rogers this year in East Lansing.
Head Coach Barry Alvarez announced Monday at the Badgers' press conference that Evans will not play a down for the Wisconsin Badgers this season.
\Lee this past week, [in] consultation with his doctors on Friday, decided that it's in his best interest not to play this season. We'll continue as a staff and football team to support him and console him in any way we possibly can,"" Alvarez said.
Last year in Madison both Evans and Rogers put on respective shows, as Evans had nine catches for 228 yards and three scores and Rogers answered with five grabs for 206 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Spartans to a win.
But this showdown, along with any hope that Evans would come blazing out of the Camp Randall tunnel to right the Badgers wayward ship, disappeared faster than the sound of Alvarez's words could linger.
""The doctors told me that they just felt that it [Evans' knee] needed rest and continued rehab, but more than anything else rest,"" Alvarez continued.
With the question of Evans' return finally put to rest, the team must forge ahead without their superstar wide receiver and try to pull themselves out of their current losing streak.
""All along we've prepared without Lee. When and if he would've come back it would've been a bonus. We will continue to prepare and play as we have,"" Alvarez said.
Team doctors just felt it was better for Evans to sit out the remaining five games instead of potentially pushing the knee too far too fast and injuring it again.
""It's a big loss, but we have support for each other, Lee for us and us for Lee,"" Junior defensive lineman Erasmus James said.
And the support is there. Evans has been instrumental in the mentoring of emerging freshmen wide receivers Jonathon Orr and Brandon Williams. The important role that Evans has had in their development and success is critical.
""He's [Evans] done a tremendous job in helping develop those young receivers, in being there all the time for them. During the game and in practice. He's really an important part of our football team as a leader as well as helping those guys come along. He's been awesome that way,"" Alvarez finished.
It seems that the only question left is what Evans will do at the end of the football season. Will he declare for the NFL draft or will he take a medical red shirt and return to Wisconsin next year?
If Evans were to return next year he would only have about a half-season of eligibility from the red shirt.
""[Lee] has plenty of time to make decisions on what his future plans will be and when he makes that decision we'll make him available,"" Alvarez said.
So with Evans' future uncertain the present takes greater focus. Even though Evans will not return to directly help the Badgers on the field this year, fans and players can all take pride in the fact that his dedication and perseverance will continue to benefit not only his fellow wide receivers, but the whole team as well.
