Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois football injury report vs Purdue shows important group getting stronger

The Purdue Boilermakers want to play spoiler, but the Illinois football team will at least have a pretty healthy squad heading into the contest.
ByRees Woodcock|
Sep 27, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Tanner Heckel (16) pushes Southern California Trojans running back Eli Sanders (1) out of bounds on a run during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Sep 27, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Tanner Heckel (16) pushes Southern California Trojans running back Eli Sanders (1) out of bounds on a run during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The Illinois football team doesn’t have any time to rest, as the Purdue Boilermakers are going to give us their best shot.

Coming off a big last-second win over USC, the Illini hit the road to take on Purdue. After narrowly winning against a woeful Boilermakers squad last season, I would imagine Illinois is going to be more prepared this time around.

Every game is crucial after the loss to Indiana. Needing a win, Illinois is the healthiest we have been in weeks.

Here is the Illinois football injury report vs the Purdue Boilermakers

  • S Matthew Bailey (2nd String) – Should be good to go
  • OLB Daniel Brown (Starter) – Doubtful (week away)
  • CB Tanner Heckel (2nd String) – Good got go
  • WR Justin Bowick (Starter) – Good to go
  • RB Aidan Laughery (Starter) – Good to go
  • CB Xavier Scott (Starter) – Out
  • TE Grant Smith (3rd String+) – Out for season
  • OG JJ Hirdes (3rd String+) – Out for season
  • RB John Froester (3rd String+) – Out for season
  • DB Tywan Cox (3rd String+) – Out for season

Illinois football is getting healthier in the secondary, which is huge for the program moving forward

It is nice to see the Illini getting healthy again. Our secondary is nearly a full-go, minus the biggest piece in Xavier Scott, who is out for the season.

But each and every week, this Illinois secondary is getting more used to playing without Scott. It has been a big adjustment, but they are picking up the pieces left by the big injury.

Now that we are a few weeks removed from the Scott injury, Illinois is starting to gel. It is going to be needed against a Purdue quarterback in Ryan Browne, who threw for three touchdowns against us last season.

Illinois’ defense is going to be leaned on down the stretch. If we can put things together on that side of the ball, this program will be dangerous.

Home/Illinois Football