Illinois football boasts clean injury report heading into Duke contest

The Illinois football team needs everyone ready to go on Saturday, and that looks to be the case against Duke.
Aug 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA;  Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) jumps on teammate Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Eli Coenen (96) after a sack on Western Illinois Leathernecks quarterback Chris Irvin (5) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Aug 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) jumps on teammate Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Eli Coenen (96) after a sack on Western Illinois Leathernecks quarterback Chris Irvin (5) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

One of the things that have plagued the Illinois football program in the past is injuries.

Since Bret Bielema took over the Illini, that has subsided quite a bit, though. The injuries haven’t been mounting, and I attribute a lot of that to the way Bielema runs his program.

Illinois needs all hands on deck when it comes to the game on Saturday. Duke is going to give us everything they have, and we need to be ready. Thankfully, health is not a concern.

Here is the Illinois football injury report vs Duke

  • Jahiem Clark – Doubtful
  • Ayden Knapik – Out
  • TE Grant Smith – Out for season
  • OG JJ Hirdes – Out for season
  • RB John Froster – Out for season
  • DB Tywan Cox – Out for season

None of the injuries should affect Illinois in a negative way on the field against Duke

I would love to have Illinois at full strength on Saturday, but that is a near impossibility. No team is fully healthy, as there is always someone out for one reason or another.

When I look at the injury report, I don’t see a player whose injury will hamper the Illini too much, though. Jahiem Clark would be nice to have back on the field, but he is still getting up to speed after an injury, so he is out for Saturday. The Illinois secondary could use him.

Ayden Knapik had surgery a few weeks back, and he should be good to go here in a couple of weeks, per Bret Bielema in his weekly press conference leading up to Duke. He will give us more depth on the offensive line when he returns.

But, overall, Illinois is a full-go against the Blue Devils. We have all of the pieces in place, now let’s show Duke the power of the Orange and Blue.