LB Noonan Out for Season, Husker Receivers Banged Up

Nebraska freshman linebacker Maverick Noonan will miss this season with a knee injury. 

Coach Matt Rhule said Noonan suffered the injury on Saturday and will have surgery this week. 

Receiver Marcus Washington, who missed practice last week with a hand injury, returned to the field on his birthday Monday when he hurt his left knee.  Rhule said Washington is expected to be back by this weekend.  Rhule also said receiver Zavier Betts is “injured right now” and another wide-out, Malachi Coleman, was not at Tuesday’s practice although he didn’t say why. 

The first-year coach says other receivers now have the opportunity to step up and play.  “We’re giving some young guys – Jaylen Lloyd, Jaidyn Doss are getting some opportunities to go out there and play and we’ll see where they’re at, they’re trending in the right direction,” Rhule said, adding: “Billy (Kemp) is a guy who’s unbelievably productive…Alex Bullock is having a really, really good camp.” 

Rhule also praised NU’s quarterbacks, saying they’re playing really well.  As far as the offensive and defensive lines, he said he’d like to see them continue to improve and gain confidence.