Nebraska has been no stranger to the injury bug early in the 2017 season. However, the Huskers might be getting healthier as the season progresses.
Possibly the biggest news of the press conference is the possibility of the return of senior cornerback Chris Jones. Jones went down with a knee injury that was expected to hold him out for the majority of the 2017 season. It appears the veteran Blackshirt is ahead of schedule as head coach Mike Riley announced that he has been cleared to start practicing again.
Riley said that while Jones has been cleared to get back on the practice field, it's been a long time since he's played football and being cleared and being ready to play are two different things.
Running back Mikale Wilbon sprained his ankle, but Riley said that he's hopeful that Wilbon will be able to play against Wisconsin. Tre Bryant is still out with a knee injury, so Wilbon and Devine Ozigbo have carried the workload at I-Back. Riley said all he can hope for with Bryant is that he can "get better".
Riley said linebacker Tyrin Ferguson (turf toe) was cleared to travel to Illinois the day before the game, but did not play. Riley said he hopes Ferguson is feeling better ahead of Wisconsin's visit to Lincoln.
Senior Safety Aaron Williams has a soft tissue neck injury that he suffered after being ejected from Nebraska's matchup with Rutgers two weeks ago. Riley said Williams has been and will be limited in practice, but should play this weekend.
Safety Joshua Kalu will return to practice this week and could practice, while linebacker Marcus Newby was supposed to return today but got sick and will miss Monday's practice. Newby and Kalu are both expected to play against the Badgers.
Riley said offensive linemen David Knevel and Cole Conrad continue to get better, while Matt Farniok has been cleared to play but will be limited.
Wide receiver De'Mornay Pierson-El has had shoulder issues, but should play, and Riley said that Bryan Reimers "should be better".
