Huskers had a few names show up in the NFL’s opening week, with former Nebraska running backs and a rookie tight end getting into the action for their new teams.
Ameer Abdullah made his mark for the Jacksonville Jaguars in their win over Cleveland. The veteran back handled four carries for 32 yards and added one catch for no gain on offense.
He was also busy in the return game, bringing back two kickoffs for 59 yards. Abdullah played five offensive snaps and eight on special teams.
On Monday Night Football, rookie Emmett Johnson got a solid first look with the Kansas City Chiefs against the Broncos. Johnson ran eight times for 24 yards and caught two passes for 44 yards in the win.
He finished second on the Chiefs in receiving yardage and also chipped in a special teams tackle. Johnson logged 25 snaps on offense and six on special teams.
Another former Husker found the stat sheet in Jacksonville’s win over Cleveland. Rookie tight end Nate Boerkircher caught one pass for nine yards and played 38 offensive snaps along with three on special teams.
Several other former Huskers were listed on NFL rosters but did not have stat lines in the source report: DT Maliek Collins with the Cleveland Browns, CB Cam Taylor-Britt with the Indianapolis Colts, TE Thomas Fidone with the New York Giants, center Cam Jurgens and DT Ty Robinson with the Philadelphia Eagles, and LB Luke Gifford with the San Francisco 49ers.
Former Huskers on practice squads included WR Dane Key with the Denver Broncos, WR Isaiah Neyor with the Green Bay Packers, OL Henry Lutovsky, OL Ben Scott and LB Javin Wright with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, DB DeShon Singleton with the Kansas City Chiefs, and DL Ben Stille with the Detroit Lions.
In Other News...
Nebraska Faces Its First Real Test Up Front Against North Dakota
Saturday night gives Nebraska a different kind of measuring stick, one that goes beyond the record column. The Cornhuskers and North Dakota both arrive at 3-0, but the point spread and the setting still put the spotlight squarely on how Nebraska handles a visiting team that has earned its way into the conversation. The game on the Big Ten Network should also offer a clearer look at where the Huskers really stand as the schedule starts asking harder questions up front.
North Dakota brings a quarterback in Jerry Kaminski who has given the opposition a reason to pay attention, and that is where Nebraskas defense starts to matter most. Just as important, the Cornhuskers offensive line will be under the microscope in a game that should say a lot about whether Nebraska can control the line of scrimmage the way it wants to. A lopsided line on paper does not erase the need for a clean performance in a matchup that feels like the first real test of physicality. [Read more 🡒]
Emmett Johnson Just Gave Nebraska Fans A Reason To Track Chiefs Snaps
Emmett Johnsons first NFL action gave Nebraska fans a little something extra to follow on Sundays. In his debut with the Kansas City Chiefs, the former Cornhusker worked as the backup running back and handled 10 touches, a mix that included 8 carries for 24 yards and 2 catches for 44 yards. The rushing numbers were modest, but the receiving work stood out and offered a glimpse of the kind of versatile role that can keep a young back in the conversation.
Kansas City leaned heavily on Kenneth Walker in the opener, but the short turnaround before the next game could open the door for Johnson to see more work. For Nebraska supporters, that makes this a worthwhile subplot to monitor, especially if the Chiefs decide they need more help in the backfield and keep leaning on Johnsons ability to contribute in different ways. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Colandrea Is Forcing A Bigger Nebraska Offense Debate
Anthony Colandreas fast start has given Nebraska something it did not have to think too hard about in September: whether this offense is ready to do more than simply survive possessions. After earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors for a sharp showing against Bowling Green, he has helped the Cornhuskers move the ball with unusual ease through two games, piling up 553 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns while pushing the unit into the national top 15.
Now the conversation shifts from production to possibility as Nebraska gets ready for North Dakota. The numbers suggest a team with more answers than questions on offense, but they also raise the bigger issue that comes with any breakout start: how much of this should be built around Colandrea, and how much more can the Cornhuskers ask of the group if this pace holds? [Read more 🡒]