Malcolm Hartzog Jr. injury update: Matt Rhule reveals Nebraska DB's status for Maryland game

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule sounded extremely optimistic about the return of senior defensive back Malcolm Hartzog Jr. earlier this week. Just three days later, however, things aren’t sounding so optimistic for his status in this weekend’s clash against Maryland.

“Yeah, I’d say Malcolm is doubtful for Saturday,” Rhule said during Thursday’s media opportunity. Hartzog Jr. has not played since Nebraska‘s season-opening 20-17 win over Cincinnati.

On Monday, Rhule sounded a lot more positive about the defensive back returning this weekend. However, that appears to no longer be the case.

“He’s closer,” Rhule said during Monday’s press conference. “I’m 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.”

Nebraska has 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, as none of their final seven games are against opponents currently ranked inside the AP Poll Top 25.

The return of Hartzog Jr. at any point would be a big boost to the Huskers’ secondary down the stretch. But that will have to wait a little longer.

Hartzog Jr. would have been massive in matchup vs. Maryland

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.