Matt Rhule: ‘Health condition’ will keep Javin Wright out, reveals who could step in at linebacker

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule announced on Saturday that fifth-year linebacker Javin Wright will be out “indefinitely,” while dealing with a health complication.

Wright has battled injuries and health issues throughout his time with the Cornhuskers. He arrived on campus in 2019 but was unable to piece together a full, healthy season until 2023.

“Has has a health condition that we’re working through right now, so I’ll probably leave it at that, just until he’s ready to talk more about it,” Rhule said after Saturday’s scrimmage. “He’s with the team. He’ll be with us, but dealing with a health condition that will hold him from playing for right now. He’ll be okay, he just can’t play right now.”

In 2023, Wright totaled 51 tackles (20 solo) to go with 0.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two interceptions as a mainstay within the Huskers defensive unit. Before that, he had recorded just nine tackles in his first three years on campus.

While losing Wright for an undisclosed amount of time. Nebraska, which returned some key pieces from last season, ranked as the nation’s No. 13 scoring defense as well as ranked No. 11 in total defense last year in Rhule’s inaugural season in 2023. They’re expected to build on that in 2024 under his guidance.

With Wright working on his health, Rhule name-dropped quite a few linebackers that figure to step in and fill in during his absence. Mikai Gbayor and transfer Stefon Thompson will be two of the main linebackers Rhule is expected to rely on heading into the 2024 regular season.

He also pointed toward Vincent Shavers, Gage Stenger and Vincent Genatone as names that could see some valuable minutes on Rhule’s defense in 2024.

“I think it’s a strength,” Rhule said of his linebacker corps. “But I mean, I think [Wright] was playing at an elite level. … I think the strength of that unit will be fine, I just really, really wanted to see Javin have the opportunity to play. He worked so hard, and I believe he’s a pro player. But the outlook is optimistic that they can be resolved for him to be back at some point, but not for right now.”

While Wright continues to work on his health, the Huskers are set to begin the 2024 regular season in just under two weeks on Aug. 31 against UTEP before turning around to host Colorado in Week 2.