Northwestern's secondary was already a thin unit heading into the fall, and injuries have kept the Wildcats' patchwork group from reaching its potential.

Safety Damon Walters earned the starting safety nod before the season started, but the redshirt sophomore has been inactive for each of NU's three games played. His replacement, Garner Wallace, left Northwestern's 34-14 loss to Oregon in the second quarter, followed shortly after by starting corner Josh Fussell.

The 'Cats had a bye week after falling to the Ducks, giving them some time to rest and recover before the UCLA Bruins come to town on Saturday. In his weekly press conference on Monday, head coach David Braun said that Walters is anxious to return to the field, but that Northwestern would not rush him back before the safety is ready.

"With his specific injury, it's finicky, it's soft-tissue," Braun said. "When we get Damon back, we need to make sure that we have him back for the rest of this season. [We're] optimistic about his progression. We'll know more this week in terms of his availability for Saturday."

Walters played 10 games for the Wildcats in 2024, stepping into the starting lineup for the final five. As a redshirt freshman, he was the fourth-highest graded defender on Northwestern's roster and had the second-highest coverage grade, per Pro Football Focus.

Wallace performed admirably in Walters' place over the first three weeks. Braun said he was hopeful that the graduate student would play against UCLA, but added that it depended on how practice went in the coming week.

Fussell, who suffered a lower body injury against Oregon and did not return, received a less optimistic prognosis.

"Don't see it as a long-term deal with Josh, but definitely more questionable in terms of this weekend," Braun said.

In a similar vein to Walters, Fussell entered the lineup as a redshirt freshman last season and never looked back. He landed on PFF's All-Big Ten Team of the Week after standout performances against Western Illinois and Oregon and holds the highest coverage grade of any Northwestern defender this season. Fussell has allowed just 15 yards on seven targets over the last two weeks, including holding the Ducks without a reception.

If Walters, Wallace and Fussell cannot play against UCLA, the Wildcats will need several players to step up in their absence. True freshman Jon Jon Stevens Jr. has made a handful of plays to start his career and recorded five tackles last week after Wallace left the game. Corner Ore Adeyi hasn't earned as much playing time since returning from an injury that kept him out all throughout last year and may need to take on a bigger role without Fussell on the outside.

Northwestern ranks third in the Big Ten in pass breakups and seventh in passing yards allowed per game.

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