Update: Badgers QB Stave working through throwing issues

Andersen says "injury" wasn't the right word in earlier statement

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave isn’t hurt, after all.

But he’s still out of the quarterback mix — for now — for the 18th-ranked Badgers as he works through throwing issues.

Coach Gary Andersen and Stave spoke to reporters Tuesday evening to clarify a statement earlier in the day that an injury was sidelining Stave indefinitely.

Andersen says “injury” wasn’t the right word. Stave says there is nothing physically wrong, but that he’s noticed the past week that he’s not throwing the ball the way he’d like to.

So last year’s starter isn’t taking part in all game preparations for now. He is throwing and taking part in individual practices.

What hasn’t changed is that Tanner McEvoy is the unquestioned starter. He beat out Stave in training camp for the job.

Previous story:

Wisconsin redshirt junior quarterback Joel Stave will be shut down indefinitely due to a shoulder injury, according to a UW release.

“Joel has been dealing with some issues with his throwing shoulder for the last couple of weeks and we have come to a decision, after talking with Joel, that the best thing for him right now is to shut it down and give him some rest. It was a tough decision because Joel is a great competitor and has a tremendous desire to help this team. We will continue to monitor his progress but we’re not putting a timetable on his return at this time,” Andersen said in the release.

On Monday, Andersen said that Stave would continue to compete with starter Tanner McEvoy for playing time. However, in a teleconference Tuesday morning, Andersen said that was because Stave’s status was still unclear at that point.

McEvoy, a redshirt junior, will start Saturday’s home opener against Western Illinois, Andersen said Monday. His backups will be redshirt sophomore Bart Houston and freshman D.J. Gillins.

Freshman tight end T.J. Watt will also miss time. 

“T.J. suffered a right knee injury during camp which required surgery,” Andersen said. “He will miss an extended amount of time but we hope to have him back on the practice field at some point during the conference season.”