Nebraska got a lift Friday on the injury front, with two of its key playmakers trending in the right direction as the Cornhuskers finish up their prep for Saturday’s homecoming game against Maryland.
Freshman running back Jamal Rule and junior wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr. both moved up on Nebraska’s latest availability report submitted to the Big Ten. Rule went from doubtful to questionable, while Barney climbed from questionable to probable.
That’s especially encouraging for Rule, Nebraska’s leading rusher and already the author of three 100-yard games. He was limited to just eight snaps last week against Michigan State before leaving with an injury. His status matters even more because Nebraska’s running back room has been short on proven production.
Barney’s situation was less obvious during the game, but his workload against the Spartans told the story. He logged only 21 snaps in East Lansing, his lightest usage of the season, according to PFF. If he’s able to go against the Terps, Nebraska gets back a valuable piece in the passing game and on returns.
The one new name to watch is junior running back Mekhi Nelson. He was not on Wednesday’s initial report, but Nebraska added him Thursday as questionable, and that designation did not change Friday.
Nelson played 42 snaps against Michigan State, finishing with 61 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. He looked healthy leaving East Lansing, which makes his status a little more surprising.
If Nelson is available, Nebraska would have a major boost on the ground. If Rule is also able to suit up, the Huskers could have both of their most productive backs in uniform for their second conference game of the 2026 season. If not, the margin gets a lot thinner fast.
A handful of other players remained in their same spots on the report. Rex Guthrie and Brendan Black stayed probable, while Bryson Webber and Tanner Terch were upgraded from questionable to probable.
Larry Miles, Kahmir Prescott, Gage Stenger, Jase Reynolds, Jacob Bower, and Gabe Moore have not played this season for Nebraska, and for the most part, they are expected to remain out for the rest of the year, with Moore the possible exception.
Junior tight end Carter Nelson is still out after suffering an injury in the second half of Nebraska’s win over North Dakota. He left the field appearing to be in severe pain and has been listed as out on every report since.
In Other News...
Nebraska Suddenly Has A Backfield Concern Fans Didn't See Coming
Nebraskas backfield picture got a little murkier this week heading into the Maryland game, with the injury report listing running back Mekhi Nelson as questionable and Jamal Rule still doubtful. For a team trying to keep momentum in conference play, any uncertainty at running back matters, especially when depth can be tested quickly and game plans often have to adjust on the fly.
At the same time, the program has a notable recruiting moment on deck with 5-star EDGE prospect David Jacobs expected on campus for a visit, a reminder that the staff is still working the long game while sorting out immediate availability issues. It also comes against a busy stretch around the athletic department, with Nebraska volleyball just sweeping Penn State to extend its win streak and give Dani Busboom Kelly her 250th career win. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Can Shake Up More Than Its Own Season This Weekend
Nebraskas trip to Maryland comes at a time when the Cornhuskers are trying to keep their own momentum going, but it also sits in the middle of a bigger national ripple effect. With No. 15 Oregon on a bye before its meeting with No. 23 UCLA, the Ducks will be watching this weekend closely, and the Cornhuskers are part of a slate that could alter how the Pac-12 race and the rankings look when the dust settles.
The attention on Nebraska is broader than one conference result, too, because Oregon quarterback Dylan Raiolas transfer from Nebraska adds another layer to the weekends watch list. Along with Ohio State-Iowa and Alabama-Mississippi State, Nebraska-Maryland is one of the games that could shape future matchups and reshuffle perceptions in a hurry, making the Cornhuskers a surprising part of a much larger conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska's 4-0 Start Feels Real For One Big Reason
Nebraskas 4-0 start has given the program something it has not had in a while: a reason to believe the early momentum is more than just a September fluke. For the first time since 2016, the Cornhuskers have opened with four straight wins, and the mix behind it has been encouraging in a few different ways, from favorable officiating moments to quarterback Anthony Colandrea settling in and a defense that has carried real weight.
Now the next test arrives with Maryland, and that matchup should tell a lot about how sturdy this start really is. The Terrapins bring an offense capable of stressing Nebraska in ways it has not seen every week, while the Cornhuskers are still leaning on key pieces such as Kwazi Gilmer to keep the attack balanced enough to support what has been a strong defensive foundation. [Read more 🡒]