<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1njyZK_0w6t5oDr00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1njyZK_0w6t5oDr00" width="1144" height="599" ><a href="https://247sports.com/college/illinois/">Illinois</a> head coach <a href="https://247sports.com/Coach/bret-bielema-137/">Bret Bielema</a> met with local reporters on Monday to preview Saturday's 2:30 p.m. (CBS) game against No. 24 <a href="https://247sports.com/college/michigan/">Michigan</a> (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten).1. Don't expect to see <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/kaden-feagin-46114835/">Kaden Feagin</a> on Saturday.Kaden Feagin was a surprise (at least to anyone outside of the <a href="https://247sports.com/Coach/smith-center-4434/">Smith Center</a>) scratch for Saturday's win over Purdue. Bielema said after the game that Feagin "hyperextended his left leg" in practice on Tuesday and "unfortunately he's going to be out for a little bit."Nothing from Bielema's press conference on Monday suggested Feagin will play in Saturday's game against Michigan. Bielema said that there was a Zoom meeting on Monday afternoon with doctors as the team continues to search for different opinions about Feagin."We're drawing as many voices from the outside world as we can," Bielema said. "What I love about our medical staff is they're extremely gifted and have been unbelievable with our guys we have here and the things that pop up that aren't really in our wheelhouse or have seen a lot of, they go to the outside world."Feagin is the Illini's leading rusher with 306 rushing yards (4.6 ypc) and three touchdowns, and he seemed to be building momentum with back-to-back strong performances, rushing for 133 yards on 25 carries during the last two games combined. Former Illini running back turned doctor Kameno Bell was on campus over the weekend and passed along the name of a New York-based hip doctor as the Illini continue to turnover stones."He grabbed me at the walkthrough on Friday and said, 'Hey, is that Kaden Feagin?' Former running backs like running backs," Bielema said. "He's like, 'Hey, we've got a good hip doctor in New York.' We're researching that guy to give information. A little bit of everything."Without Feagin, Illinois will lean on the combination of <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/josh-mccray-46055782/">Josh McCray</a> (three touchdowns against <a href="https://247sports.com/college/purdue/">Purdue</a>), <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/aidan-laughery-46103029/">Aidan Laughery</a> and freshman <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/calil-valentine-46134087/">Ca'Lil Valentine</a>.The good news for Illinois on the injury front is that Bielema expects starting slot defensive back <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Xavier-Scott-46113009">Xavier Scott</a> to return on Saturday against Michigan. Scott played just 13 snaps against Purdue, according to Pro Football Focus, but wasn't completely healthy, leading to more snaps for <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/tyler-strain-46101588/">Tyler Strain</a> and ultimately <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/tyson-rooks-46128614/">Tyson Rooks</a> at the STAR position."He was going to go and tried to go, but just didn't feel it was right and didn't think he put himself in a position to help the team on Saturday," Bielema said of Scott. "Right now, he's cleared for practice tomorrow. I really don't expect any issues with him moving forward."</div></body>

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Four takeaways from Illini head coach Bret Bielema on Michigan: Embracing big game; Kaden Feagin injury update

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema met with local reporters on Monday to preview Saturday's 2:30 p.m. (CBS) game against No. 24 Michigan (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten). 1. Don't expect to see Kaden Feagin on Saturday. Kaden Feagin was a surprise (at least to anyone outside of the Smith Center) scratch...

Four takeaways from Illini head coach Bret Bielema on Michigan: Embracing big game; Kaden Feagin injury update

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