Nebraska WR De’Mornay Pierson-El (foot) could return Saturday

Nebraska receiver De’Mornay Pierson-El will return to practice this week and could see limited action against Illinois, head coach Mike Riley told reporters Monday.

Pierson-El, a sophomore, has been out with a broken foot since mid-August. He played all 13 games as a freshman last season and earned Freshman All-America honors. He started six games at receiver and took over as the Huskers’ punt returner in the second game of the year.

Pierson-El led the nation with 596 yards on punt returns last season, and averaged 17.5 yards per punt return, which was the second-best average in Div. I. He also caught 23 passes for 321 yards and four touchdowns.

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The Huskers are 2–2 in their first season under Riley, with wins over South Alabama and Southern Mississippi, and losses to BYU and Miami. They open Big Ten play against the Illini on Saturday.

- Dan Gartland

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