Malcolm Hartzog injury update: Matt Rhule addresses Nebraska DB's status for Maryland game

Matt Rhule‘s Nebraska Cornhuskers have opened the season with a 4-1 record, with its lone loss coming to No. 21 Michigan on Sept. 20. Midway through the season, the Huskers are certainly in the thick of the College Football Playoff race. None of their final seven games are against opponents currently ranked inside the AP Poll Top 25.

The return of senior defensive back Malcolm Hartzog Jr. would be a big boost to the Huskers secondary down the stretch of the season. Hartzog Jr. has not played since Nebraska‘s season-opening 20-17 win over Cincinnati. Ahead of this weekend’s matchup against Maryland, Rhule addressed Hartzog Jr.’s status.

“He’s closer,” Rhule said. “Im hopeful because this is a game we’d certainly love to have him. We tried to warm him up and see how he was, but he’s just not there. I’m not sure yet, to be honest with you. We’ll get to tomorrow and see where we’re out.

“We had some guys come out of the game banged up so we’ll see who can practice and who can’t. We could certainly use Malcolm. Not that other guys aren’t doing well, but he’s had a lot of production for us. In a game like this with the speed they have at wide out, we’d love to have him.”

Hartzog would be massive for Huskers this weekend

Maryland has been one of the biggest surprises in all of college football this season. After going just 4-8 last year, the Terrapins opened the 2025 campaign 4-0 before narrowly falling to Washington 24-20 last week. They have been fueled by talented freshman quarterback Malik Washington, who boasts 1,257 passing yards, nine touchdowns and just two interceptions this season.

Coming into the season, Hartzog was set to be the nickel corner for the Cornhuskers. In the very limited playing time he’s had at that spot, he’s made one tackle, had an interception, and defended another pass. Last season, he had four interceptions.

Hartzog has never used a redshirt in his four seasons. That does allow for the possibility that he could take one now if this injury takes too long to get back on the field. Of course, that’s not the ideal situation for Nebraska.

In place of Hartzog at nickel, Rhule has shuffled the Nebraska secondary. That has seen redshirt freshman Donovan Jones emerge as a boundary corner. Meanwhile, Idaho transfer Andrew Marshall has taken over at field corner. Then, Ceyair Wright generally fills in at the nickel. 

Kickoff between Maryland and Nebraska this Saturday is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on Big Ten Network.

On3’s Dan Morrison contributed to this report.