Nebraska, Minnesota release availability reports ahead of kickoff

Nebraska and Minnesota have released their availability reports ahead of Thursday’s season opener. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET.

For Nebraska, only two players — linebackers Nick Henrich and Jimari Butler — have been ruled out for the game. As for Minnesota, the Golden Gophers will be without multiple players. Darnell Jefferies, Craig McDonald, Derik LeCaptain, Cody Lindenberg, Lucas Finnessy, Hayden Schwartz, Jackson “Axel” Ruschmeyer, Sam Peters and Jameson Geers are all out for the first game of the year.

In addition, Golden Gophers star receiver Chris Autman-Bell and kicker David Kemp are both questionable.

Losing Henrich is big for the Nebraska defense. He’s one of the leaders of the unit despite appearing in just five games a year ago and is one of the Cornhuskers to wear a single-digit jersey this year — a big deal under Matt Rhule. In 2021, he ranked second on the team with 99 tackles.

Starting this season, Big Ten teams will provide availability reports two hours prior to kickoff. The purpose is to provide a more standardized announcement of who can and can’t play, especially given the current presence of gambling in the sports landsscape.

“The well-being of our students, coaches, and staff, as well as the integrity of our competitions are of paramount importance,” Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said in a press release. “Enhanced transparency through availability reporting and partnering with U.S. Integrity strengthens our efforts to protect those who participate in our games as well as the integrity of the games themselves. I’m grateful for the collaboration of our schools, coaches, and administrators.”

Matt Rhule: Teddy Prochazka and Marcus Washington will play for Nebraska vs. Minnesota

Nebraska is gearing up for the first season of the Rhule era and is one of the most intriguing teams in college football. Led by transfer quarterback Jeff Sims, the Cornhuskers could look to make some noise in what looks to be a wide-open Big Ten West — the last year for the league’s divisional format.

Rhlue had an update on two injury question marks this week, though. Teddy Prochazka and Marcus Washington have both been working their way back, but Rhule confirmed they’d both be able to go in the season opener against Minnesota.

“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.”