Billy Edwards injury status: Will Wisconsin QB play vs. Alabama today? What we know

The health of quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. has been one of the lingering question marks for the Wisconsin Badgers ahead of their Week 3 game at No. 18 Alabama.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on Sept. 11 that Edwards is “unlikely to play” against Alabama but is traveling with the team and planning to warm up as he works his way back from the knee sprain he suffered in Week 1.

The report was three days after Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell did not have anything definitive to say about Edwards’ status at his weekly press conference.

“He's throwing the ball around, he's here constantly getting treatments and things like that,” Fickell said on Sept. 8. “I think it's going to be where he really feels as we get later towards the week.”

The Big Ten-mandated pregame availability report — usually released two hours before kickoff — might be the first official indicator on game day of Edwards’ status for the Badgers’ game at Alabama.

San Diego State transfer Danny O’Neil has been manning the position in Edwards’ absence. The second-year sophomore has completed 76.1% of his passes and has four touchdowns and two interceptions. His 169.7 passer rating ranked 27th among 122 FBS quarterbacks heading into Week 3.

Whether it be O’Neil or Edwards under center, the Badgers will have a daunting task against the Crimson Tide. UW is a 20.5-point underdog, as of late Sept. 12, according to BetMGM odds.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Will Wisconsin QB Billy Edwards play vs. Alabama in Week 3?