Week 6 Availability Report: LB Jordan Hall questionable for Illinois vs. Michigan State

Michigan State will host Illinois for its homecoming game on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The game will air on FS1.

Both teams enter the matchup with 2-3 overall records and are 0-2 in Big Ten play.

On Wednesday, the Big Ten released its initial availability report for this weekend's contest between the Fighting Illini and Spartans. The report will be updated on Thursday night, Friday night and two hours before kickoff on Saturday.

Here is where things stand on the injury front for both squads.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Oct. 7 and will be updated throughout the week.

Wednesday Report:

Michigan State has already ruled eight players out for Week 6 against Illinois. Additionally, three Spartans are listed as questionable for Saturday's game. Meanwhile, one athlete is designated as doubtful, which is redshirt freshman running back Darrin Jones Jr., who joined the program as a walk-on in 2025.

The cornerback position has been particularly hit hard with injuries for MSU, as Nijhay Burt, Tyran Chappell and Keshawn Williams are all out. In addition, starting cornerback Tre Bell is listed as questionable. Bell managed to play 42 defensive snaps in a 31-3 loss to Wisconsin in Week 5 after missing a 31-13 defeat to Nebraska in Week 4.

It is no surprise to see running back Cam Edwards listed as out against Illinois. He started the first four games of 2026 for Michigan State, but will miss the remainder of the season after suffering an apparent right knee injury against the Cornhuskers.

Other players listed as out for the Spartans on Saturday include tight end/fullback Jay Coyne, linebacker Caleb Wheatland, offensive lineman Tristan Comer and tight end Joey Caudill. Wheatland was injured against the Badgers in Week 5.

With Wheatland already being ruled out, the linebacker spot is one to watch. Starting linebacker and team captain Jordan Hall was injured against Nebraska Week 4 and was forced to miss the road contest at Wisconsin last week. After being listed as doubtful last week prior to the Wisconsin game before ultimately being ruled inactive, Hall — whose presence is off the utmost importance for MSU — is trending in a better direction with a questionable tag ahead of the contest with Illinois.

The Spartans have dealt with various injuries in the linebacker room this season. Outside of Wheatland and Hall, Brady

Pretzlaff missed the Week 4 game against Nebraska before returning for the Week 5 matchup with Wisconsin. Fellow linebackers Dion Crawford and Cam Stodghill have also been banged up at times this year.

One other notable listing on the Wednesday availability report is quarterback Cam Fancher. He exited the game against the Badgers last weekend with an undisclosed injury. Fancher has played offensive snaps in every game this season — 36 total snaps — and enters games behind starter Alessio Milivojevic. Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan has used Fancher to provide a running threat at the quarterback position for the Spartans and to give defenses a different look.

Meanwhile, Illinois has 11 total players listed on its initial availability report for Week 6. The Fighting Illini have six players who are already ruled out: running back Ca'Lil Valentine, wide receiver Alex Perry, linebacker Jack Paris, defensive lineman Carter Smith, offensive TJ McMillen and tight end BJ Thurman.

Valentine suffered a season-ending injury in a 24-17 Purdue in Week 5. He led the Fighting Illini in rushing attempts with 50, and was second on the team in rushing yards with 225, while scoring one rushing touchdown.

Offensive lineman Champ Smith is deemed questionable in the initial report.

Illinois has also designated three players as doubtful: defensive back Tywan Cox, offensive lineman Kai Pritchard and offensive lineman Dezmond Schuster. Cox has played in all five games for the Illini, and drew the start at cornerback against Purdue last week. Pritchard is a true freshman who has played in every game for Illinois this season, primarily on special teams. Schuster has appeared in three games on special teams.

Wide receiver Jayshon Platt is listed as probable for Saturday's game with Michigan State. He has not appeared in a game in 2026.

Thursday Report (Oct. 8 update):

-No changes for Michigan State.

-Illinois defensive back Tywan Cox and offensive lineman Dezmond Schuster went from doubtful to probable.

-Illinois offensive lineman Champ Smith went from questionable to probable.