Both good, bad news on NU injury report

Northwestern's injury report for Saturday's game with Illinois includes linebacker Collin Ellis plus safeties Hunter Bates and Traveon Henry. Not listed, however, are Kain Colter, Venric Mark, or Nick VanHoose, who have each battled injuries in recent weeks.

The Northwestern injury report for Saturday's game with Illinois includes some good and bad news.

Safties Traveon Henry and Hunter Bates plus linebacker Collin Ellis are listed as 'OUT' for the game.

The fortunate news for Northwestern is that Kain Colter, Venric Mark, and Nick VanHoose were not listed on the injury report, indicating each is likely to play against the Fighting Illini.

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald suggested in his Monday press conference that Colter and Mark were likely to play, but pointed toward VanHoose, the Wildcats' top cornerback, and a likely absence.

VanHoose has not played since the Oct. 20 game with Nebraska after leaving with a shoulder injury. He was "close" to playing against Michigan and Michigan State, according to Fitzgerald, but was held out as a precaution.

The Wildcats aim for their ninth win of the season and to reclaim the Land of Lincoln Trophy from their rival.

Chris Emma has covered recruiting, college athletics and professional baseball for FOX Sports Next since 2009. Emma covered the Nebraska Cornhuskers for Big Red Report, and currently covers the Northwestern Wildcats and Chicago Cubs. He resides on Chicago's north side.
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