Nebraska injury updates: Matt Rhule shares status of multiple Husker players for Rutgers game

Matt Rhule provided game week injury updates on Micah Mazzccua, Stefon Thompson and Tommi Hill ahead of Nebraska’s game against Rutgers.

Mazzccua didn’t play last week due to a suspension, but Rhule didn’t specify the reason. Thompson and Hill were legitimately hurt and will try to go this weekend.

Thompson should practice while Hill is still a game time decision, per Rhule.

“Micha was suspended last game. He’s reinstituted this week,” Rhule said. “That was kind of in the middle of the week that that happened. So it wasn’t something … (I was) anticipating, to be quite honest with you. Stefan Thompson has a sprained foot, and he ran well today, so we’re anticipating him practicing tomorrow, so I’ll know more about that. And then Tommi, you know, Tommi went out like the NFL, like two hours before the game, and worked out and just didn’t quite feel like he could go on it. 

“He ran today and felt good. So I would anticipate Tommi having a chance to play this week. I think that’ll be another, probably to be quite honest, a game time decision. The plantar fascia is all pain threshold, and you know, it’s not like, can you tough it out? I mean, I’ve seen guys miss a long time with it, so he’s doing everything can to play. So we’ll see.”

Thompson is Nebraska’s starting middle linebacker and obviously a key cog to the defense. Hill meanwhile, starts at corner.

If anything, Rhule would love to have his defenders back against Rutgers’ offense. The Scarlet Knights are led by running back Kyle Monangai, the Big Ten rushing leader from 2023.

An improved passing attack is eye opening for Rutgers this year, led by transfer quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. Coming off a win against Washington Friday night, Rutgers looks for an upset on the road.

Rhule will certainly have the Huskers ready and if all three guys are back Saturday in Lincoln, Nebraska will be in good shape.

“Getting ready for Nebraska, very good football team,” Rutgers head coach said Monday. “Matt Rhule, excellent coach, known Matt for a long, long time, and he does a great job. He’s certainly got that thing going into the right direction, and now it’s being seen in the record.”

Rutgers and Nebraska are set for a 4:00 p.m. ET kickoff in Lincoln Saturday.