Illinois sophomore linebacker Tarique Barnes and senior lineman Alex Palczewski will miss the remainder of the season with injuries, head coach Lovie Smith announced Monday. Barnes had season-ending surgery and Palczewski is scheduled to have season-ending surgery.
Palczewski made his team-high 40th consecutive start at Rutgers 11/14/20 before exiting the game with an injury. Illinois' starting offensive line will play only one game fully together in 2020 - the season opener at Wisconsin. The group entered the season as the highest graded returning offensive line unit in the Big Ten, according to Pro Football Focus.
Barnes made his first career start at Rutgers 11/14/20 and followed with his first career interception the next week at Nebraska 11/21/20. His breakout game came in the season opener at Wisconsin, when he had his first career fumble recovery, touchdown, and recorded sack filling in for an injured Jake Hansen.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this season does not count against any players' eligibility. All players can return next year with the same eligibility status as this year.
