Star receiver Pat Bryant leads a handful of playing time decisions for Illinois

Illinois is addressing this game of the week against the Gophers whipped. Head coach Bret Bielema has not provided a clear update on leading wide receiver Pat Bryant or three injured cornerbacks, implying we won’t know their status until 9 a.m. CT on Saturday.

“We probably only know about a few boys during game time, they are doing their best,” Bielema told local media on Thursday. “Right now, as we stand today, no one has really been exonerated. I like the trend of the trend, we’ll see where it goes.”

Bryant was hurt by last week’s loss to Oregon, but he has 34 catches for a team-high 510 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns this season. He notably had seven catches for 65 yards in last season’s win over the Gophers.

According to Illinois defeated reporter Joey WagnerBielema provided no updates on cornerbacks Torrie Cox Jr., Terrance Brooks and Kaleb Patterson, all of whom were injured last week against Oregon. Each player has played more than 150 snaps this season, with Patterson being a starter with 368 total snaps.

The Big Ten availability report will be important to keep an eye on as it will be released two hours before Saturday’s 11 a.m. kickoff. The Gophers’ passing attack is starting to find its feet and if Illinois doesn’t have several top cornerbacks, it could spell trouble for the No. 24 Fighting Illini.