Mickey Joseph addresses Casey Thompson injury, status for Saturday

Good news, Husker fans. There’s a shot that Nebraska will have its starting quarterback, Casey Thompson, back this weekend after he suffered an elbow injury in last Saturday’s game. He didn’t return after leaving and did not practice on Monday. But as of Tuesday, head coach Mickey Joseph revealed he’s day to day with a nerve issue in that right arm near the elbow.

At his press conference Tuesday, Joesph provided the latest on Thompson and explained the process for handling the injury situation (you can read his comments below).

“It was a nerve in his elbow, so right now he’s day to day. I just wanted to hold him out today and let him see the doctors. He saw the doctors yesterday, met with them again today, and we’ll see where he’s at tomorrow. He was really beat up on Saturday. But when I spoke with him on Sunday he felt better. He looked better yesterday (Monday). He’s took some hits this year, so I want to make sure. Rather say he’s out than say he’s in and then he don’t play.”

As per usual with starting quarterbacks, caution takes the cake, with Casey Thompson and his bothered nerve sidelining him to start the week of practice. As the days progress, expect more updates on Thompson one way or another since he is officially “day to day.”

With QB1 out, backups Chubba Purdy and Logan Smothers are taking turns in practice leading the charge, according to Joseph.

“They both took an even number of reps with the ones today. I went back and forth. Even number of reps with the ones today,” he said after practice on Tuesday.

Purdy is the official backup at the moment and took the majority of the snaps once Thompson went down last weekend. It didn’t look great. Purdy completed just three of eight passes for 15 total yards. Smothers got in there for a few snaps, too, and even completed his only pass attempt for a one-yard gain.

So, to recount: Thompson day to day and possibly back for Minnesota game, and Purdy and Smothers dueling it out for the spot if he doesn’t go, with Purdy owning the advantage there given last week. That’s Mickey Joseph’s plan as of now.