The victim of an “unprovoked assault” at the hands of five assailants early Wednesday morning, Montee Ball was expected “to make a full recovery” from the injuries he incurred according to head coach Bret Bielema.
That full recovery, however, appears to be on down the road a piece.
During the taping of his television show Thursday, Bielema acknowledged that the All-American running back will not be an active participant when Wisconsin opens camp this Sunday. Bielema did not specify when he thought Ball, who reportedly suffered a concussion as well as facial injuries in the attack, would be able to participate in football drills.
During the attack at the hands of the five alleged perpetrators, Ball was knocked unconscious. He was taken to a local hospital, but was released a couple of hours later and is now in the care of UW medical personnel.
“Unfortunately, he got beat up pretty bad,” Bielema said during the taping.
A rumor started early this morning that the attack was in retaliation for a fight Ball was allegedly involved in; Ball tweeted earlier today that "[t]he report that I was involved in a fight is totally false.” Witnesses said it appeared Ball was specifically targeted, with one of the attackers reportedly stating "[n]ine more players to go.”