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2h ago

Illinois' Xavier Scott to Undergo Surgery, Expected to Miss Most of Season

The update follows a 63-10 loss to Indiana ahead of a home game against No. 21 USC.

Jul 22, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Illinois safety Xavier Scott speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • Coach Bret Bielema said the senior defensive back will have surgery Wednesday for a lower‑leg injury sustained against Western Michigan.
  • Bielema left open a late‑season return but indicated Scott will be sidelined for an extended stretch of the 2025 campaign.
  • Scott, a preseason first‑team All‑Big Ten pick and last season’s Thorpe Award semifinalist, missed the Indiana game after seeking a second opinion.
  • Illinois provided additional secondary updates: Matthew Bailey remains in concussion protocol, Kaleb Patterson and Torrie Cox had negative scans and are set to practice, Miles Scott returns from a targeting ejection, and Ben Clawson resumes practice this week.
  • Following the 63-10 defeat at Indiana that dropped the Illini to No. 23 in the AP poll, Illinois started Tanner Heckel at Scott’s spot and now must adjust secondary depth entering the USC matchup.