No. 9 Illinois football senior defensive back Xavier Scott’s status for the 7:30 p.m. Saturday showdown against No. 19 Indiana is up in the air just over 48 hours until kickoff, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema said Thursday.
Scott, who earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2024, went down with a right foot/ankle injury after notching a pass break-up late in Illinois’ 38-0 win over Western Michigan University on Sept. 13.
“He had a doctor's appointment Tuesday and has another one to get a second opinion on where he's at,” Bielema said. “I don't know if he'll be back for Saturday or where he'll be in the season, but right now no."
Just three days ago, however, Bielema said he expected Scott to practice on either Wednesday or Thursday after his X-ray results were “normal.”
The Big Ten requires its squads to submit an availability report at least two hours before kickoff. Scott’s status will be more well-known then as he’ll either be listed as questionable or out.
“Right now, I guess that's why we had the injury report on Saturday,” Bielema said, “and you guys (reporters) will find out when I find out."
Scott primarily covers receivers in the slot for the Fighting Illini, according to Pro Football Focus. He was one of 15 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the nation’s best defensive back, in 2024. So far this season, Scott has six tackles, two tackles for loss and two pass break-ups.
Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry said Monday that Indiana’s receiving duo of senior Elijah Sarratt and redshirt junior Omar Cooper Jr. is “as good as any tandem of receivers” in the Big Ten.
With Scott’s absence appearing likely, Cooper and senior receiver Jonathan Brady — Indiana’s snap leaders in the slot — won’t face one of the best defensive backs in the conference. Instead, sophomore defensive back Tanner Heckel will likely slot into Scott’s place.
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