Tommi Hill injury update: Matt Rhule reveals unfortunate outlook for Nebraska DB's career
Nebraska will be without a veteran defensive back for the final two games of the regular season, with coach Matt Rhule revealing he is shutting down senior Tommi Hill for the season.
Hill has battled injuries this year that have slowed him considerably.
“Yeah, Tommi will be out the next two games,” Rhule said on Thursday. “He’s tried to play. It’s obviously tough for him, he’s dealing with a lot. So I just shut him down. He’s been invited to the Senior Bowl. Maybe he’ll be ready for bowl practice, but he’s out there but he’s playing half speed, three-quarters speed.”
Tommi Hill, a 6-foot, 205-pound defensive back, has recorded 21 tackles, 0.5 tackles for a loss, two passes defended, an interception and a defensive touchdown this season.
His presence will be missed, even though he has struggled in recent weeks.
“That obviously led to the first touchdown in this game, led to the first touchdown in the Indiana game, led to the first touchdown in the Illinois game,” Rhule said of the injury. “So I feel for him. Came into the year with high expectations, had the foot injury, and just never quite been the same.”
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Hill has had a productive career and will be a candidate to play at the next level.
In four years in college — one at Arizona State and the last three at Nebraska — Hill has logged 73 tackles, 1.0 tackles for a loss, 19 passes defended, five interceptions and a defensive touchdown.
He just didn’t have much left in the tank this year.
“I can’t put him out there anymore. He cares about his teammates and wants to be out there, but he’s only hurting himself and giving up touchdowns,” Rhule said of Tommi Hill. “So it’s just unfortunate for him, but he has better days ahead. He’s going to graduate. He’s going to come in and rehab every day and get himself ready and hopefully go have a really strong Senior Bowl showing.
“When you’re a guy who relies on your speed to play and you lose that it’s tough. So just an unfortunate break for us this year.”