Marcus Saterfield shares update on Jeff Sims as he battles back from injury

After suffering an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of Nebraska’s loss to Colorado in Week 2, Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims has not returned to action. With Sims out, Heinrich Haarberg has been starting behind center.

Although Sims was nearly back at full capacity in Week 5, the Cornhuskers opted to keep Haarberg as its starter. After Nebraska’s 45-7 loss to No. 2 Michigan, offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield fielded a question about the possibility of Sims’ return.

“It’s getting better each day,” Satterfield said. “I wouldn’t say he’s 100%. He’s getting close. He’s out there [and] had a good practice today. He’s just out there competing. Both those guys are doing a nice job just competing with each other each day and I think Jeff will be out there at some point sooner rather than later.”

Although Haarberg couldn’t carry the Cornhuskers to upset Michigan, he’s had a respectable stint with Sims sidelined. In three starts this season, Haarberg has completed 38-of-his-72 (52.8%) pass attempts for 477 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.

Haarberg’s lack of turnovers is his biggest advantage over Sims. In just two games, Sims threw four interceptions compared to just one touchdown. Worse, both performances culminated in losses for the Cornhuskers.

While Sims is supposed to boast a better ground game than Haarberg, the statistics show otherwise. Sims has 156 rushing yards this season on 30 carries. Meanwhile, Haarberg has tallied 270 yards with his legs on 51 carries.

Add on the fact Haarberg is a redshirt freshman while Sims is in his fourth year of college football, and it’s difficult to imagine Nebraska returning Sims to the starting spot. It’s more likely both QBs will see snaps. Satterfield certainly isn’t opposed to the idea.

“There are going to be certain times when both quarterbacks are playing,” Satterfield said in September. “There are going to be times in the game when they’re going to be asked to go out there and help us move the ball because they’re both too good of athletes to be standing over there with me.”

Nebraska won’t have long to decide who will be in the driver’s seat in its next game. On Friday, the Cornhuskers will take on the Illinois Fighting Illini at 8 p.m. ET. Illinois is also 2-3 this season, boasting wins over FAU and Toledo.

Both teams enter the game off of blowout losses. The contest will be broadcast on FS1.