Matt Rhule reveals Teddy Prochazka, Marcus Washington will play in Week 1

The Matt Rhule era in Nebraska begins this Thursday as the Cornhuskers face Minnesota to start off the 2023 season. And before the high stakes inter-conference opener, Rhule revealed the injury status on two of the team’s biggest contributors on the offensive side of the ball.

“Teddy Prochazka‘s up and ready to play. So how much he plays will remain to be seen, but he is up and ready to play and has had a really good week,” Rhule said. “And Marcus Washington is up and ready to play, so both of those guys have done a great job battling back from injury so I’m excited to see those guys play.”

Washington being back in Nebraska’s lineup is huge for the Cornhuskers offense, as he returns after suffering from a broken hand over the summer.

He joined the team last offseason after spending three seasons at Texas and made an immediate impact, appearing in every single game for the Cornhuskers and making 10 starts. He ended the season with 31 catches for 471 yards and a touchdown, notching career highs in receptions and yards and ranking only behind 2023 NFL Draft selectee Trey Palmer on the team in each category.

He’s the Cornhuskers leading returning wideout and could be a valuable target for new transfer quarterback Jeff Sims as he makes his first start for Nebraska this Thursday.

Prochazka could have a key role in protecting Sims and creating rush lanes for him in the running game as he also returns from injury. But unfortunately injuries have riddled his career throughout his time at Nebraska.

As a true freshman in 2021, Prochazka became just the 16th true freshman offensive lineman to play in a game in Nebraska history, making two starts and appearing in five games before his season was unfortunately cut short due to an injury.

He started the first three games of last season at left tackle before yet again suffering another season-ending injury in the Cornhuskers’ upset loss to Georgia Southern.

Prochazka has now bounced back from two season-ending injuries and will look to be a contributor on Nebraska’s offensive line this season, but this time for the long haul.

Nebraska will surely need Prochazka and Washington’s best on Thursday, as they face a Minnesota defense that was one of the best in the nation last season, holding opponents to just 13.3 points and 279.5 yards per contest.