Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler is expected to be sidelined because of a leg injury suffered Saturday night

This is an updated version of a story that originally posted late Saturday.

MADISON – Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard spoke confidently during camp that sophomore safety Hunter Wohler would blossom into a significant contributor this season.

“I truly think he is ready,” Leonhard said. “Had a huge spring for us. Extremely consistent.”

According to sources, Wohler will be sidelined indefinitely after suffering an injury to his left leg in the third quarter of UW’s 38-0 victory over Illinois State on Saturday night.

Wohler, a graduate of Muskego High School, appeared to suffer the injury with 7 minutes 34 seconds left in the quarter while diving to tackle tailback Wenkers Wright along the Illinois State sideline.

Wohler got up after the play and hopped off the field without putting any weight on his left leg. He was using crutches and in a protective boot after the game.

“I'm kind of anxious to see kind of what exactly happens and how Hunter is and what it will be,” head coach Paul Chryst said after the game.

Utah transfer Kamo'i Latu or Preston Zachman could fill in for Wohler. Both worked with the No. 2 defense in camp and both played Saturday. Latu recorded one tackle and broke up one pass; Zachman recorded two tackles and an interception.

Although UW lost safety Travian Blaylock (knee) in the spring, Leonhard played at least six safeties in the opener.

Wohler and John Torchio started, followed by Zachman and Latu. Freshman Austin Brown and Titus Toler formed the third pair.

Torchio returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown to break a scoreless tie. With five starts and 27 games played, Torchio is by far UW’s most experienced safety.

“Torch’s role will be big," Chryst said “And it has been. One, the way he plays. Two, his understanding of everything. He's a good one to play with.

“It was good to see Preston get in there and do that. You talk about experience and understanding.… Torch obviously has that. Kamo'i certainly does some things … hopefully Hunter's not too bad.”

Outside linebacker Nick Herbig didn’t talk about the severity of Wohler’s injury but acknowledged it was painful to see a teammate have to leave the game.

“Hunter is a heck of a player," Herbig said. "I hate to see him go down. That kid works hard. But it is the game of football. Things happen.

“His head is high. He is going to be here for us every single day.”

UW also lost starting right tackle Riley Mahlman (left leg), though his injury didn’t appear to be as serious.

The redshirt freshman was injured early in the third quarter while blocking on a running play on third and goal from the Illinois State 1.

UW called a timeout with 9:39 left in the quarter but Mahlman stayed in the lineup for Braelon Allen’s 1-yard touchdown run on fourth and goal. However, it was clear he was struggling to move on the injured left leg and he was replaced on the next series by redshirt junior Logan Brown.

Brown had played in 20 games in a reserve role the past two seasons and in the offseason made the switch from left tackle.

“I'm anxious to see kind of how everyone did but certainly Logan,” Chryst said.  “Everyone knows we're going to need a lot of guys this season. And the more that you can count on to play, that's good for this team.”

Mahlman’s injury came on an evening when the Badgers' revamped offensive line had its first test. Three starters return but only center Joe Tippmann plays the same position he did last season. Left tackle Jack Nelson had started at right guard last season and left guard Tyler Beach at left tackle.

Filling out the rest of the starting unit was Mahlman and another first-time starter, senior Michael Furtney, at right guard.

“Both of those guys are really good players," Beach said of Mahlman and Brown. "They were battling out all camp trying to find out who is where. Trying to find the starting five is always a hard job for coaches.

"You’ve got a lot of really good players, so the fact that we have some depth in the two-deep, everyone had all the confidence in Brown.

“Nobody was worried about anything. He eats the heck out of guys. I think he had few pancakes today. I was really excited for him. I thought he played well.”

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Status of UW's Hunter Wohler, Riley Mahlman uncertain after injuries