Matt Rhule updates status of Marcus Washington injury

It didn’t take long for Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg to find Marcus Washington for a big gain during Saturday’s victory over Illinois.

Despite gaining 38-yards on the reception, Washington stayed down after the play clutching his knee and would not return. After the victory, head coach Matt Rhule gave a quick update on Washington’s status heading into Week 7.

“It was his knee. [I know] nothing beyond that,” Rhule said postgame. “They’ll do an MRI [Saturday], but I have no idea other than that. He was in a lot of pain when I went over there, but him and I walked off arm-in-arm. He was a captain tonight, so he was pretty fired up. We’ll have an MRI update, hopefully I [meet with the training staff] on Monday or Tuesday. We’ll see, but I hope he’s okay.”

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 during Week 1 against Minnesota.

One of the Cornhuskers’ best offensive lineman in Ethan Piper also left the game with an injury of his own. Piper, one of Nebraska’s most consistent lineman, was rolled up in a pile and ended up leaving the game with 1:01 left until halftime. His status likely won’t be updated until the weekend is over.

Despite not having either offensive standout participate past the first half, Nebraska found its way to take home the first Big Ten victory of the Matt Rhule era. Beginning the season 0-2 with losses against Minnesota and Michigan.

Both Washington and Piper will have a couple of weeks to recover, as the Huskers will enjoy their bye week during Week 7 before starting back up with a two-game home stand against Northwestern and Purdue, respectively. Both are winnable games from Nebraska’s perspective, but at the same time, the rest of the Huskers’ schedule from here on out doesn’t feature a single ranked opponent as it stands before the end of Week 6.

The toughest opponent, on paper, will be Maryland. Other than that, Nebraska has a legitimate chance at winning eight regular season games in 2023 — if they can stay healthy. Washington will be a major player in that effort, and the Huskers can’t afford to lose any bodies in the trenches during that process.