It’s that time of week: QB update Thursday.
Both Heinrich Haarberg and Jeff Sims have practiced all week.
Beyond that, «I wouldn’t say Jeff’s 100 percent He looks good in terms of moving and sliding in the pocket. Heinrich has looked good. How much can he completely open up and all those things? I don’t think we’ll completely know beyond game time, but there’s been no restrictions on him,» Husker head coach Matt Rhule said after Thursday’s practice.
Haarberg has started the last two games but didn’t finish the fourth quarter of the 28-14 win over Louisiana Tech after a weather delay. Rhule had said then Haarberg tightened up and maybe had some cramping issues.
If he gets his third start, it’ll come against one of the better defenses in the country in Michigan.
«We’ll be ready to probably use either one of them or both of them as needed,» Rhule said.
– The biggest news Rhule delivered was that senior linebacker Luke Reimer, who left the first quarter of the Louisiana Tech game, looks like he’ll play.
«I think Luke’s on schedule to play. We believe Luke will play,» he said.
– Rhule couldn’t say if Cameron Lenhardt will play or not. Defensive coordinator Tony White did mention him running around during Tuesday’s practice some.
«He’s still questionable. He’s still trying to come back from the ankle,» Rhule said. «But for the most part we’re healthy. We’re banged up. Our guys are learning the difference between – healthy means that you’re ready to play, right? – being healthy and kind of banged up. Whereas 15 to 20 years ago if you were 75 percent, guys would limp out there and play.
Now, because everyone is getting graded, PFF and all those things, guys are a little more hesitant to play but because they don’t want to play badly for the team.
«But we have guys here that will go out and do that. They’ll go out and play – not to hurt themselves, but they’ll play when they’re not quite at 100 percent. Because there’s a toughness to the Nebraska team and players that was here when I got here. Guys will go out there and they’ll battle.»
– Obviously the Huskers are looking for help beyond Anthony Grant at running back, with the season-ending injuries to Gabe Ervin and Rahmir Johnson.
Joshua Fleeks has been a name mentioned as getting work at running back to help depth there. How serious is that right now?
«I’ve known Josh a long time and Josh always been like a tailback playing receiver,» Rhule said. «So we started the process last week of just kind of getting him in there for a few plays and immersing him as an emergency back and he’s looked really good. Going to continue to bring him along.»
It’s the introductory phases still for Nebraska with Fleeks at the position and Michigan and Nebraska both are probably going to make it a game with limited snaps. So it’s not sure how much Fleeks could be involved, «but he’s a great person we can go to in an emergency and then continue to develop his role so we can utilize him.»