Nebraska Football: Program taking it slow with Nick Heinrich injury

Nebraska Football is doing the right thing here.

This is certainly not a development you like to hear, but Nebraska Football is playing it safe with a promising young player. I certainly can respect that. Linebacker Nick Heinrich will not be ready for the start of fall camp according to a report from Parker Gabriel of the Lincoln Journal Star.

As some of you may recall, Heinrich had shoulder surgery during spring ball. Despite not being able to participate in camp, the coaching staff, most notably linebackers coach Barrett Ruud says that the freshman will back at some point the season.

More from Husker Corner

This definitely adds to the importance of Zach Schlager transferring to the Nebraska Football program. His arrival in Lincoln is even more crucial now. At the very least, he can help take Heinrich’s spot during fall camp. Depending upon when Heinrich returns, we could be looking at several players to step up at the position. My guess is that Schlager will definitely be a part of that equation, as will Henrich’s classmate Jackson Hannah. You have veterans like Mohamed Barry of course, who will undoubtedly leave his stamp on the defense.

Although Heinrich will probably be back at some point, this development is a little disappointing. I wanted to see what he looked like right out of the gate. There is no doubt that he will have a future in this defense, and he should be able to be successful. However, it appears that he will have to wait a little while before it can happen.

As Ruud told the Lincoln Journal Star, Heinrich is ready to play. It is just a matter of getting him healthy and to a point where he can compete at a high level. It’s better to sit him out and let him heal then rush him back and risk further injury. Too often I see that happen in college football. It ends up affecting the player not only that season, but for the rest of their collegiate careers. I like what I’m hearing from the coaching staff in regards to not rushing him back.

"“We won’t get him for camp, I’m pretty sure of that,” inside linebackers coach Barrett Ruud said. “He’ll be back this season for sure, it just depends on how that shoulder goes and how strong he gets.”“We’re going to be smart with him, too,” Ruud said. “Coming off a shoulder surgery, we’re not going to do anything that would jeopardize his rehab. He’s got a big future here and we’re going to make sure we’re smart about it this year.”"

Although disappointing, I’m hoping Heinrich can heal properly and get enough rest so that he can be successful down the road. Nebraska Football certainly could use a player of his caliber on the defense. Particularly when some of the upperclassman graduate, Heinrich could be a player that makes up the new-look defense. It’s better to have him play a successful collegiate career, then try and risk it for short-term success.

Home/Nebraska Football