Billy Edwards injury update: Wisconsin 'optimistic' for QB's return vs. Maryland

Billy Edwards hasn’t played since Week 1 while nursing a knee injury. Entering game day, Badgers head coach Luke Fickell has provided Pete Thamel with the latest after Edwards was labeled as a game-time decision earlier this week.

“Luke Fickell told me this morning he’s optimistic about Edwards’s return today,” ESPN’s Pete Thamel said on ESPN’s College GameDay. “It did rain overnight in Madison. They’re going to see how his sprained knee responds during warm-ups, but there’s optimism that we’ll see Edwards for the first time since week one.”

Edwards transferred to Wisconsin from Maryland — which makes for an interesting storyline if he’s able to play. He was the Terrapins’ starting quarterback last season, completing 65% of his passes for 2,881 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Maryland ultimately finished the season 4-8 overall.

He ultimately spent three years with the program for 2022-2024 before moving on to Wisconsin during the offseason. However, his knee injury has kept him on the sideline for the majority of the early season.

Edwards missed the past two games against both Middle Tennessee and Alabama, games which the Badgers split. His only playing time came during Week 1, where he went 6-of-13 passing for 68 yards before going down with injury.

While Edwards has been sidelined, backup quarterback Danny O’Neil has stepped in. The San Diego State transfer has completed 73% of his passes for 520 yards to go with five touchdowns and four interceptions, along with a touchdown run.

O’Neil is a former Colorado commit. He completed 11-17 of his passing attempts for 117 yards and two interceptions with a touchdown during Wisconsin’s loss at Alabama last weekend.

Looking ahead to the matchup, Wisconsin will be taking on a 3-0 Terrapins squad led by true freshman quarterback Malik Washington. The Badgers are 2-1 thanks to their Week 3 loss against the Crimson Tide.

This will be the fifth all-time meeting between these two programs. However, Wisconsin holds the series advantage, having won all four of their previous meetings. The last game played between these two programs came back in 2022 at Camp Randall.

Kickoff between the Badgers and Terrapins is set for Noon ET and will air live on NBC and Peacock. Even with Edwards’ status still in the air, the Badgers are 10-point betting favorites over the Terrapins at home. The over/under is set at 44.5 total points.