Illini’s Kaden Feagin won’t be be back ‘any time soon’, Bielema says

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Illinois football is waiting for more answers, and more information, on junior running back Kaden Feagin’s injury.

The Atwood, Illinois native was the premier ball carrier for the Illini through five games but missed Saturday’s game against Purdue due to injury. He will not play against Michigan either, Bret Bielema confirmed to reporters on Thursday.

Bielema said Feagin is working with doctors outside of Champaign to try and get answers on a unique injury. The Illinois head coach said he’s only seen one similar injury in his time as a head coach and Illinois football’s medical staff is trying to find all the right people outside of the building for Feagin to consult with.

“For the injury that he has, or the world that he’s in, we literally got ahold of two to three of the best in the country at what they do- at not only a college level but an NFL level and in this case even pro baseball,” Bielema said. “There’s some things that will come to light at the end. It’s unusual, but not that unusual.”

Feagin leads the Illinois rushing attack in both carries and yards. In 2024, he has 306 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 67 carries. He also notched five receptions for 37 yards in Illinois’s first five games.

Coach Bielema has been communicating with the junior running back and his family regularly and said Feagin is handling the adversity well. The injury is one with a possibility of sidelining him for more than just a week or two.

“His spirits remain very upbeat,” Bielema said. “He knows this season has been cut short, it’s hard because last year was as well, but this is why those opportunities exist. We’ll get through this moment. Every indication is, whatever the decision ends up being about handled, he’ll be back with us at some point- whether it’s the spring or for sure by [next] fall.”

Bielema answered a follow-up to the response above, to clarify whether or not Feagin is being ruled out for the season.

“We’re still in this process,” he said. “I think, to think that he’s going to be back any time soon is not real. But, I don’t want to comment until I know the facts. He literally hasn’t had a decision on what is going to be done or how it is going to be done until we gather all the information. We’ve literally consulted probably about four or five different voices here on campus but also around in the country.”

Josh McCray stepped up for Illinois in the run game against Purdue. He notched 124 total yards and three touchdowns as Illinois beat the Boilermakers in overtime.

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