Nebraska’s Friday injury report brought a couple notable shifts, and the biggest one came at receiver and returner. Jacory Barney is now listed as probable for Saturday’s game against Maryland after opening the week questionable, while running back Jamal Rule moved from doubtful to questionable.
Barney left in the first half of Saturday’s game, but Matt Rhule sounded optimistic earlier in the week.
"I never bet against Jacory Barney, to be quite honest with you," Rhule said on Monday. "The guy's made out of rubber, doing everything he could to play in the game."
Rule and Mekhi Nelson remain the two names to watch most closely in pregame warmups. Nelson is still listed as questionable, and the pair are Nebraska’s leading rushers.
With Rule out early in the 31-13 win over Michigan State, Vincent Genatone handled the short-yardage work and finished with two touchdowns. Rhule said Monday that Genatone could see a bigger role.
That theme carried into the week on the Nebraska side. On Tuesday, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen pointed to the work Isaiah Mozee has been getting in practice, and he’ll have a key part when kickoff arrives at 3 p.m. Saturday.
"We've been talking about it since Day 1 of camp, you're going to need them all, so get them all ready," Holgorsen said. "I thought practice Monday night, Ike (Mozee), he looked the best that I've seen him look with the things that we were doing with him last night. They're just going to continue to develop as young running backs."
Nebraska’s probable group also includes offensive guard Brendan Black, safety Rex Guthrie, and defensive backs Tanner Terch and Bryson Webber.
The Huskers’ out list includes WR Larry Miles, DB Kahmir Prescott, TE Carter Nelson, LB Gage Stenger, LB Jase Reynolds, LB Jacob Bower, and DL Gabe Moore.
Maryland also has some movement on its report, with running back DeJuan Williams now probable. Running back Iverson Howard is also probable, while linebacker Trey Reddick is doubtful and linebacker DD Holmes and wide receiver Jayden Kitchens are questionable.
Williams has not played since opening day against Hampton, when he rushed three times for 116 yards and two touchdowns. He posted 501 rushing yards and 426 receiving yards on 45 catches a season ago, and he had 71 yards on 15 touches against Nebraska last year in the Terrapins’ 34-31 loss in College Park.
Maryland coach Mike Locksley said he expects Williams to play.
"I expect him to play this weekend. How much, obviously, depends on the reps he needed this week to show us that he can play," said Maryland coach Mike Locksley, according to InsideMDSports."
But we're still going to evaluate him once we get into the game. To have him back as a weapon is always welcome.
We know the rushing attack has to be more complementary. We don't [want to] rely on quarterbacks to have to do a lot.
So getting him back healthy, which also helps [Iverson Howard], who wound up missing the last half of last week. He's back.
We feel pretty good that we at least have a couple of weapons."
Maryland’s probable list also includes linebacker Travares Daniels, linebacker Darius Grimes, and defensive lineman Armon Parker.
In Other News...
Nebraska Injury Report Just Raised The Stakes For Maryland
Nebraskas latest availability report brought a little more clarity, and a little more uncertainty, as the Cornhuskers continued sorting through their health ahead of the Maryland matchup. Jamal Rule moved from doubtful to questionable, while Jacory Barney Jr. went from questionable to probable, giving Nebraska a better chance to have more of its roster available when it matters most.
The report also added another layer to the backfield picture, with junior running back Mekhi Nelson listed as questionable after seeing action in the previous game. Several other statuses shifted as well, including some players who remain out for the season, so Nebraska still has some important decisions to monitor before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
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 🡒]