Nebraska Loses Two Top Running Backs to Injury
The Huskers' corps of running backs just got a lot thinner.
Injuries to sophomore starter Gabe Ervin Jr. (hip) and junior backup Rahmir Johnson (shoulder) have ended both players' seasons, Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule said Monday. The injuries occurred during Nebraska's win Saturday against Northern Illinois.
This means senior Anthony Grant is back at No. 1, just like he was last season, with redshirt freshman Emmett Johnson and true freshman Kwinton Ives backing him up. "Those will be the first three tailbacks into the game this week," Rhule said.
Also out for the season is freshman defensive back Dwight Bootle, who injured a shoulder Saturday. The news is better regarding freshman defensive lineman Cameron Lenhardt, who is expected to return to practice Tuesday after spraining an ankle during Saturday's game.
Rhule said quarterback Jeff Sims practiced Sunday after missing Saturday's game with an ankle injury while Heinrich Haarberg took his place. Rhule didn't say who might start behind center this Saturday against Louisiana Tech.
"I won't make any comments until game time, just for competitive reasons, obviously," Rhule said. "We'll try to get all three quarterbacks ready to play this week."
Scroll down for more from Rhule's session Monday with the media. Refresh this page to see the latest additions. Asterisk indicates item may require a subscription. | HuskerMax discussion
Coverage
Non-paywall
- Husker247 | Takeaways on presser day: Rhule on this Husker team's formula to win, injuries, and a bunch of knockdowns
- Husker247 | Season-ending injuries to Ervin, Johnson alter Husker running back picture
- Husker247 | Rhule recollects offseason chat with Haarberg about Husker QB future: 'You should take a shot at this thing'
- Inside Nebraska | Huskers lose RB Gabe Ervin, RB Rahmir Johnson and freshman CB Dwight Bootle for the season
- Inside Nebraska | Depth chart vs Louisiana Tech has several key changes at the top
- Nebraska Athletics | Rhule transcript
- Video recaps | Shatel/Bland, Carpenter/Smith
More sources
- Lincoln Journal Star* | Amie Just: Injury news a kick in the shins, and the situation at QB
- Omaha World-Herald* | What should Nebraska do at quarterback? Matt Rhule has been there before
- Omaha World-Herald* | Rhule wants 'wow' plays from special teams
- Omaha World-Herald* | Nebraska played more physically against Northern Illinois — and the film and stats show it
- Omaha World-Herald* | Injuries, performances prompt shake up depth chart
- Omaha World-Herald* | Notes: Rhule calls home game experience 'amazing'
