Luke Reimer on schedule to play vs. Michigan, Matt Rhule says

Nebraska should have a key defender available on Saturday when the Cornhuskers host Michigan. Head coach Matt Rhule said on Thursday that linebacker Luke Reimer is expected to play, despite dealing with an injury from the previous week.

Reimer, who has played in all four games to date, left a win against Louisiana Tech with an injury and was deemed questionable earlier in the week. While discussing the realities of letting guys play when they’re not fully healthy, Rhule shared that the veteran linebacker is on track to do something of that nature this weekend.

“Guys will go out there and they’ll battle. I think Luke’s on schedule to play, we believe Luke will play,” Rhule said.

Rhule shared that detail while discussing how players approaching playing when not at 100 percent health, now.

“Now, because there’s so much — everyone’s getting graded. PFF, all those things. Guys are a little more hesitant to play, not because they don’t care, but because they don’t want to play badly for the team,” Rhule said. “But we have guys here that’ll go out and do that. They’ll go out and play. Not to hurt themselves, but they’ll play when they’re not quite at 100 percent because there’s a toughness to the Nebraska team, players that was here when I got here.”

Nebraska is also healthier at quarterback

Rhule said that Jeff Sims isn’t quite 100 percent, but is close, and Heinrich Haarberg is full-go. Nebraska will use either one — or both — of its quarterbacks if needed.

Sims has been out since getting injured in Week 2 against Colorado. Haarberg got banged up against Louisiana Tech last Saturday.

“Both guys have practiced all week,” Rhule said. “I wouldn’t say Jeff is 100 percent. He looks good in terms of movement and sliding in the pocket. Heinrich has looked good. How much can he completely open up all those things? I don’t think we’ll know until game time. But there’s been no restrictions on him.

“So they’re both trying to get ready; (we have) practice tomorrow. We’ll be ready to use either one of them or both of them as needed.”

Regardless of which quarterback gets the start on Saturday, the Cornhuskers will have their hands full as they attempt to take down the No. 2 team in the nation, Michigan. The Wolverines’ defense has been anything but generous this season, allowing just two touchdowns in their first four games. No team that has faced Michigan this season has scored more than seven points.