MADISON, Wis. _ Wisconsin will be without center Dan Voltz for the remainder of the season and it is uncertain whether wide receiver Robert Wheelwright will return this season.

Head coach Paul Chryst revealed the status of both players on Monday.

Voltz (knee) and Wheelwright (leg) were injured in the third quarter of UW’s 24-13 victory over Illinois last week.

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“Rob will be out for a period of time,” Chryst said. “Outside chance we can get him back for the end of the season. So once again, an opportunity for guys to step up …

Chryst also confirmed he does not expect guard Ray Ball, a fifth-year senior, or redshirt sophomore tackle Hayden Biegel to return this season. Both are out with injuries.

Quarterback Joel Stave, who left the Illinois game after suffering a concussion, is listed as the starter on the team’s depth chart.

He is scheduled to meet with reporters after practice on Tuesday.

“I talked to him today,” wide receiver Alex Erickson said. “It seemed like he was doing good. Obviously he is going through the protocol and taking that step by step.

“So we’ll see how that progresses. But he is feeling better.”

With Voltz out, redshirt freshman Michael Deiter is set to start at center Saturday against visiting Rutgers.

“Michael is a guy…I think he has done a lot of really good things for us,” Chryst said. “I think he did a nice job finishing out the game (Saturday).

“The thing I appreciate from Michael is he doesn’t flinch. He rolls with it.”

Deiter started the first six games at left guard before starting at center against Purdue. Voltz missed that game because of an elbow injury. Deiter took over at center against Illinois after Voltz was injured in the third quarter.

“It was great because I got quality, meaningful reps at center,” Deiter said of the start against Purdue. “So when today I had to go in at center that helped out a lot.

“It happens and the next guy’s just got to be ready to go. You just have to make sure there’s not a big drop-off there. You’ve got to be ready to play. It is football. People get hurt.

“You can’t be surprised. You’ve got to be able to plug people in and keep having success.”

With Deiter moving to center, redshirt freshman Micah Kapoi is set to start at left guard for the second time this season. He has four starts at right guard. Redshirt junior Walker Williams should start at right guard for the third consecutive game and the fifth game overall.

“Those guys are freshmen but they’ve played,” Chryst said of Deiter and Kapoi. “Micah has started games. The expectations are for them to get better.”

Wheelwright had three catches for 47 yards and a touchdown before suffering is second on the team in receptions (28) and receiving yards (369). He led the team in touchdown catches with four.