Marcus Washington leaves game vs. Illinois with apparent leg injury

Nebraska got a big play in the first quarter when Heinrich Haarberg found Marcus Washington for a 38-yard gain. However, Washington hit the turf afterward, holding his knee and eventually leaving the game.

As he left the field, Washington didn’t put much weight on his left leg while being helped off. His loss would be a big one for Nebraska. He entered the game second on the Cornhuskers roster with 137 receiving yards on the season.

The Husker Radio Network later said Washington’s leg was wrapped and he didn’t have his helmet, meaning his night is likely over.

Marcus Washington is in his second year at Nebraska after transferring from Texas. He was a key weapon last season, as well, as he finished with 471 yards and a touchdown. He started this year with a hand injury, but ultimately made his way onto the field in Week 1 against Minnesota.

Nebraska is searching for its first Big Ten win of the Matt Rhule era, heading into Champaign to take on Illinois. The Cornhuskers got their first red zone stop of the year on the game’s first drive when they kept the Fighting Illini out of the end zone twice on fourth down.

Haarberg and the Nebraska offense will have its work cut out for them going up against a tough Illinois defensive front, headlined by Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton. One part of the Fighting Illini “law firm” with Keith Randolph, Newton is generating some NFL Draft buzz as one of the top interior linemen in the nation.

Rhule knows the challenge he presents with his ability to get to the quarterback and disrupt the play.

“He’s an excellent, excellent, excellent football player. High draft pick. Powerful, two gap. Makes plays down the line. Can torque you in the pass rush game. Their scheme, because they play with five down lineman basically 90% of the time, creates five one-on-ones. So you have to win five blocks and they have to just win one pass rush or one run block to have a successful play,” Rhule said.

As tough as it is to keep Newton at bay, Rhule knows there are other players on the defense Nebraska has to account for Friday night.

“So, it’s a real challenge but he’s an excellent football player and so he’s one of those guys you have to game plan around. You have to do things to account for him,” Rhule said. “At the same time, understanding that they have other guys who can hurt you. So, it’ll be a real challenge.”