Nebraska’s NFL footprint was thin in Week 1, but the former Cornhuskers who did get on the field mostly made themselves noticeable.
There’s still one more ex-Nebraska player waiting in the wings. Emmett Johnson is set to play Monday night for the Kansas City Chiefs against the Denver Broncos, and one of the main storylines is how many carries and snaps he gets in his first NFL game.
Among the former Huskers who played Sunday, Cam Jurgens was one of the few to start for his team. The Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman was on the field for 55 snaps in their 24-22 win over Washington and received a 59.2 PFF overall grade.
Wan’Dale Robinson gave Tennessee a steady day in the passing game despite the Titans’ 23-10 loss to the Jets. He finished with five catches for 38 yards, tied for the team lead in receiving yards, and his longest grab went for 10 yards.
Maliek Collins made his return from the PUP list and got into Cleveland’s 34-10 loss at Jacksonville. He played 22 snaps and didn’t register a tackle or sack, but he did notch a quarterback hit and a quarterback hurry.
Ty Robinson saw action on special teams in Philadelphia’s win over Washington, logging eight snaps without recording a tackle. Ben Stille, elevated from the practice squad earlier in the week, was on the field for nine defensive snaps in Detroit’s 31-30 overtime win over New Orleans and didn’t post any stats.
Thomas Fidone II was healthy and available for the Giants in their 28-20 win over the Cowboys, but he did not play.
Cam Taylor-Britt did not play for Indianapolis while serving a one-game NFL suspension during the Colts’ loss to Baltimore.
Beyond the active rosters, several other former Nebraska players are on NFL practice squads: Dane Key with the Denver Broncos, Isaiah Neyor with the Green Bay Packers, Trey Palmer with the New Orleans Saints, Henry Lutovsky, Ben Scott and Javin Wright with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and DeShon Singleton with the Kansas City Chiefs.
In Other News...
Matt Rhule Has Another Coach Wanting Nebraskas Program Blueprint
Eddie George left Lincoln with more than a tough loss to explain. After Nebraskas decisive win over Bowling Green, the Falcons head coach had plenty of praise for Matt Rhule, pointing to the way Nebraska is being built under its third-year coach. George made clear he views Rhules approach as something worth studying, the kind of program blueprint that can draw attention from around the sport when a team looks organized, physical and steady.
For Nebraska, it was another sign that Rhules work is resonating beyond the Big Ten. George said he wants to learn from Rhule and get advice on how to keep improving his own program, a reflection of both Nebraskas momentum and the respect Rhule has earned in a short time. George also talked about his own coaching path and the progress Bowling Green has made, but the broader takeaway was simple enough: Nebraskas rebuild is becoming the standard other coaches want to understand. [Read more 🡒]
Colandrea Gave Nebraska Hope But One Sloppy Issue Still Lingers
Anthony Colandrea gave Nebraska plenty to like in the first half, looking poised in the pocket and sharp with the ball as he completed 17 of 20 passes for 184 yards and four touchdowns. The offense also kept leaning on its three-back rotation, the so-called Husker Hydra, and that group helped cover for Emmett Johnson by piling up 191 rushing yards and two touchdowns while the rest of the team tried to find a rhythm.
Still, there was a messy moment that hung over the cleanest stretches of the day, even if it was officially logged as Colandreas first interception of the season. The play came off a fumble by Jacory Barney after JoJo Johnson stripped the ball, a reminder that Nebraskas issues are not limited to one phase, especially with special teams also drawing flags on punt returns and adding to the sense that the Cornhuskers are still sorting out the small stuff. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Showed Class In A Rivalry Moment Fans Wont Forget
A somber note ran through the weekend around the Iowa-Nebraska rivalry when Derek Phillips, a member of the Hawkeyes marching band, died after collapsing from heat during a game. In the midst of all the usual pageantry that comes with that matchup, both marching bands found a way to honor him, and Nebraska added its own gesture by wearing gold and black ribbons in solidarity.
The on-field story still had plenty to say for the Cornhuskers, who backed up the emotional moment with a decisive win. Linebacker Owen Chambliss also made his return from injury and was part of the defense with tackles, giving Nebraska a little more depth as it moved on from a weekend that will be remembered for much more than the final score. [Read more 🡒]