Matt Rhule provides injury update from Nebraska spring practice
Newly hired Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule is getting his first look at his team in action during the Cornhuskers’ spring practices. So far, Nebraska’s practices have been promising. But like any other team across the country, they, too, are dealing with a handful of injuries. After Friday’s practice, Rhule provided an injury update from the Cornhuskers’ spring practices thus far.
“Yeah, Ben Scott got hurt on Thursday. (He) just got rolled up on, and so (he) should be out for a week or so; not long term, no,” said Rhule. “It was a knee at first. So we were kind of concerned that day if he was gonna be okay… but he should be back within a week or so.”
Scott’s injury is an unfortunate one. However, it has created an opportunity for a younger offensive lineman to show off what he’s got against quality opponents. Justin Evans-Jenkins, the offensive lineman in question, is taking full advantage of his opportunity, showing Rhule and the other coaches what he can do.
“I’m not, you know, again, I want lineman out there, but Ben’s played a lot of football. I think Justin Jenkins is really doing a nice job right now. Obviously, (I) wasn’t familiar with him. He’s from a place that I’ve recruited a long time, Irvington, NJ. But he’s really done a nice job. So, he went in there (and) hasn’t missed a beat. But in terms of other notable, notable injuries, nothing today. We had some guys get banged up today and leave, but nothing like serious.”
Fortunately for Nebraska, they aren’t dealing with any significant injuries in the spring right now. Hopefully, for Rhule’s and the team’s sake, the Cornhuskers won’t have to deal with the injury bug this offseason in preparation for their 2023 campaign.
Rhule talks about the potential he sees in quarterback Jeff Sims
Rhule also is a noted huge fan of transfer quarterback Jeff Sims. The former Georgia Tech signal caller transferred to Nebraska in the offseason. The Cornhuskers’ headman previously said the sky was the limit for Sims back in February. Turns out, that’s the case already through the early stages of spring practice.
Rhule opened up how Sims adapted to a new offense in the early stages with his new team.
“Yeah, you know, I think he’s probably like everyone else,” Rhule said. “He’s trying to learn the system, learn the footwork, everything’s new for him. You know, I think Jeff brings a dynamic element into the game and that he can throw and run and he’s really smart and he’s a great teammate. And I think the guys really like him. I think he has natural leadership capabilities. So I’m excited to see what he does.
“Every day has been a little bit different. He started off throwing it and then Thursday, we ran at a time and Saturday, we mixed it. Today we finished with you know, two minute drills and stuff like that. So Jeff has a ton of potential, he just needs these reps to get comfortable.”
Sims played 25 games at Georgia Tech and finished with 4,464 yards, 30 touchdowns, 23 interceptions, a 57.5% completion percentage, 1,152 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.