Matt Rhule updates status of multiple Nebraska players
Nebraska travels to Michigan State as both teams enter November on the hunt for bowl eligibility — albeit one with a much higher likelihood of getting there. And while the visiting Cornhuskers have looked stronger of late, head coach Matt Rhule shared some updates on key injuries on Thursday.
Defensive backs Marques Buford, DeShon Singleton, wide out Billy Kemp and offensive lineman Nouredin “Nouri” Nouili are all still banged up. On top of Buford being a game-time decision, Rhule said, the three other injured Cornhuskers are at varying points in their rehab processes.
“DeShon came back to practice and it didn’t go real well so he’ll be out an extended amount of time, still. Billy’s not fully cleared yet. So he’s making remarkable progress. So we’ll travel Billy and warm him up before the game. Maybe he’ll have some sort of impact on the game, but a lot of that will depend on the next couple of games. Probably more next week but we are going to travel Billy to make sure he gets that treatment and if he can do some things we’ll use him,” Rhule said.
Kemp is the Cornhuskers’ leading receiver with 21 receptions and 216 yards, plus a touchdown. His inclusion into the offense picture would add dynamism to the Nebraska passing game that is otherwise absent with him on the sideline.
As for Nouili, Rhule was more vague. Nouili would be the starting right guard for Nebraska when healthy.
“Nouri’s coming along. He’s battling. It’s good to have him out there,” Rhule said.
He also noted that a pair of players who are now out for the season — Turner Corcoran and Ethan Piper — have been engaged and out at practices with their teammates when possible. Rhule added that Corcoran had his surgery on Thursday.
“Turner went in for surgery today. Piper was out at practice today, crutches, brace on his hand. So Nouri’s getting better, trying to work back in,” Rhule said.
Another Nebraska defensive back is working back to full health
In their last game, Nebraska dominated Purdue at home, winning 31-14. But that victory did come at a cost, as the Cornhuskers lost defensive back Omar Brown. It was unclear the severity of the injury, but on Monday, Rhule shed some light on the situation, revealing his defensive back did, in fact, suffer a concussion. And Rhule also provided a brief status update on where Brown is currently on this road to recovery.
“Yeah, Omar is in the protocol. So we’ll wait and see what happens,” Rhule said.
Brown has been a stalwart on the Cornhuskers defense. The Nebraska starting defensive back, who primarily lines up at safety, is third on the team in total tackles with 38 and also has one forced fumble, an interception, and a pass defended on the season.