Before being awarded, a Nebraska Cornhuskers player was seriously injured.

Nebraska football has been afflicted with the injury bug. It’s fall camp, so it’s not surprising, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers have largely avoided major injuries.

However, one big name will be out for the season: freshman Jack linebacker Maverick Noonan. Noonan will miss the entire 2023 season due to injury, according to Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule. Although it is not an ACL injury, he will be out for six months.

This hurts the Nebraska Cornhuskers now and in the future. As a freshman, Noonan was competing for a spot on the two-deep, and there’s a good chance he would have seen some playing time this season, especially since Nebraska football is in desperate need of pass rushers.

Instead of building on his freshman season, Noonan will be rehabbing and attempting to return to full strength. It doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t be able to contribute when he returns in 2024, but missing the entire season due to injury will have a negative impact on his development. There is no doubt about it.

That’s why it’s such a bummer.

Unfortunately, it is not the only injury issue for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, as Marcus Washington, Zavier Betts, and Malachi Coleman all missed practice due to injuries. Washington had a hand injury and is now dealing with an ankle injury. He’s supposed to return this weekend.

Teddy Prochazka is still practicing in the yellow jersey (non-contact), and his Week 1 status is unknown. An injury has also hampered Nouredin Nouili. That’s why Henry Lutovsky has gotten more playing time at right guard. However, Nouili remains my projected offensive line starter for Nebraska football.

Injuries are a part of fall camp, and so far, only a few have been season-ending. Hopefully, this continues over the next few weeks, because health is crucial to the Huskers’ bowl hopes in 2023.