Illinois loses Grant Beerman, Kai Pritchard for the season

Bielema opened his Monday press conference with the injury report, and it was all bad news for the Illini.

Scott Richey

@srrichey

Bret Bielema: WR Jayshon Platt had a setback last week in practice. Don't know if he'll be back with us this week or next week. Sophomore LB Grant Beerman broke his foot on Saturday and will be out the rest of the year. OL Kai Pritchard had shoudler surgery this morning. #Illini

Beerman is the one that hurts most for the defense. The sophomore linebacker from West Chester, Ohio, came in as a 4-star recruit in the 2025 class and played in 11 games as a freshman, almost all of them on special teams. At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, he was supposed to take a much bigger role in the linebacker room this year, and his position coach said he could play all 3 linebacker spots. He had already fought through injuries in the spring and fall camp. Now he has broken his foot and won't play again this year.

Pritchard's injury is more than a sore shoulder. The offensive lineman had surgery Monday morning, and the diagnosis is a torn labrum.

Jeremy Werner

@JWerner247

#illini Bret Bielema: LB Grant Beerman is out for the season with a broken foot. OL Kai Pritchard had surgery today on a labral tear in his shoulder and is out for the season.

In 1 weekend Illinois lost a linebacker and an offensive lineman for the season, and both position groups were already short on depth. Bielema didn't announce any replacements Monday. The coaches have 1 week to figure out who plays before the trip to Maryland.

Joey Wagner

@mrwagner25

#illini Bret Bielema: Jayshon Platt had a little bit of a setback Wednesday in practice. I don't know if he'll be back with us this week or next week. LB Grant Beerman is out for the rest of the season with a broken foot. OL Kai Pritchard had shoulder surgery this morning.

The receiver room isn't getting any help either. Jayshon Platt, the Florida Atlantic transfer who was expected to be a big part of the passing game, still hasn't played a snap this season. He had a soft-tissue problem in the offseason, and now he has reinjured himself in practice.

Jeremy Werner

@JWerner247

#illini Bret Bielema: WR Jayshon Platt had a setback last Wednesday at practice. Not sure if it's this week or next week.

"This week or next week" is about as vague as a coach can get. RotoWire still lists Platt as a possibility for Saturday at Maryland but calls his status extremely murky. Illinois fans have been hearing that Platt is close for months and still haven't seen him on the field, so don't count on him until he's actually out there. Until then, Illinois plays Maryland without 2 starters-in-waiting and with a receiver who might or might not be available.