Mickey Joseph provides major injury updates on Casey Thompson, Nebraska quarterbacks

The Nebraska Cornhuskers could get starting quarterback Casey Thompson back for the final two games of the season, interim head coach Mickey Joseph hinted on Tuesday. According to Joseph, Thompson is practicing, however, he’s keeping the details of his participation under wraps.

“Casey practiced today, he made some throws, so we’re still going to take him day-by-day and see how he feels on gameday,” Joseph said during his press conference previewing Wisconsin. “I expect him to be able to practice every day but we don’t know what volume he’ll be able to throw it.

Joseph also confirmed that Thompson has participated in the team’s live sessions at practice as well. He has missed the last two games after starting the first eight with 2,023 pass yards, 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

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Joseph reveals Chubba Purdy needs surgery

While things appear to be on track for Thompson’s return on Saturday, Joseph is prepared to start sophomore QB Logan Smothers, if necessary. Chubba Purdy won’t be available as he undergoes surgery this week for a high ankle sprain.

“Logan was better today, he’s been a little beat up but he was better today. He threw the ball around and he ran pretty well today. Chubba’s out, high ankle sprain. We’ll get him in surgery in two or three days.”

Against Michigan, Smothers was 4-for-8 passing for 15 yards. He carried the ball four times for a gain of one yard in the 34-3 loss.

If Thompson is out and something were to happen to Smothers, the Huskers would turn to redshirt freshman Jarrett Synek.

“I think because we look at it as a coach, he’s the most athletic one,” Joseph said of Synek. “If you’ve got to go to a third guy, you want him to be athletic. You don’t want them to all be the same. So, he can go in and give you some run game and throw it a little bit. That’s where we’re at right now.”

Nebraska kicks off versus Wisconsin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday. According to the ESPN matchup predictor, the Huskers have a 25.3% chance of an upset win.