Malcolm Hartzog injury update: Matt Rhule reveals status of Nebraska DB vs. Michigan State

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have been short in the secondary since the Akron game in Week 2. That’s when defensive back Malcolm Hartzog went down with an injury.

Malcolm Hartzog has been working hard to get back on the field for Nebraska. However, it’s been a slow buildup to get back out there. In fact, when head coach Matt Rhule shared his injury status for the Michigan State game, he announced that while it isn’t certain he won’t play, it is doubtful.

“He’s doubtful for this week,” Matt Rhule said. “He’s trying to come back, but I can’t say he’ll be back this week. I can’t rule him out, but I can’t say he’ll be back.”

Heading into the Michigan game last week, there had been some anticipation that Hartzog would be able to get back on the field for the Cornhuskers. However, he ended up not being able to play. Instead, he would be on the sidelines in street clothes for Nebraska’s first loss of the 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. That’s a season after the senior had four interceptions for Nebraska.

Malcolm 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.

“Malcolm came out to practice last week, we expected him to play. And then, it just kind of re-popped on him,” Rhule said on September 22nd. “So I don’t know what things look like for him. He’s a guy that’s going into his fourth year. If the long-term deal, he could redshirt, he could try to come back and play. Again, these are a lot of hard decisions. When you actually care about your players, these are really hard decisions, right? You’re trying to give them the best advice.”

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.

Nebraska is back at home on Saturday to take on Michigan State. Kickoff for that game is currently scheduled for 4:00 p.m. EST.