Illinois running back and the nation’s leading rusher Chase Brown suffered an apparent injury during Saturday’s 31-24 loss to Purdue. Here’s what you need to know:
- Brown did not put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off the field after suffering the injury with under a minute left in the game.
- Earlier in the game, the running back reached 3,000 total career rushing yards, becoming only the second Illinois player to do so.
- Through 10 games this season, he’s racked up 1,344 yards on the ground, averaging 7.1 yards per carry on 257 attempts.
- Coach Bret Bielema said after the game that he didn’t know anything about the injury.
Backstory
Brown, a Heisman candidate, has been outstanding for the Fighting Illini this season, forcing more than 30 missed tackles and scoring five touchdowns during the 2022 season. He’s been the perfect weapon for everything Bielema wants to do at Illinois. Brown contributed 23 rushes for 98 yards and two touchdowns, along with three receptions for 32 yards on Saturday. He was seen walking off the field at Memorial Stadium after the game.
Required reading
- Tracking the 2023 NFL Draft: Rising prospects at each position on offense
- Illinois defense grows into one of nation’s best by adopting hungry, businesslike approach
- College football results and Top 25 latest: Live updates
(Photo: Ron Johnson / USA Today)