As the Nebraska football team has prepared for the upcoming season, the team has mostly been able to stay healthy, outside of the heartbreaking story of Mac Markway. However, there is one long-injured Husker who has still been missing in the form of wide receiver Demitrius Bell. On Sunday, head coach Matt Rhule finally gave an update that fans have been waiting for.
Since Bell first arrived in the program, he's been one of those players that fans and coaches have been waiting for to show what he can do. Unfortunately, his 2024 season was derailed when he was injured during last year's spring game, and he's been out ever since. This spring, Rhule reminded folks that Bell was on the mend, but so far, he hasn't returned to action.
Matt Rhule expects Demitrius Bell to rejoin Nebraska football practice in coming weeks
In his latest Nebraska football news conference, Rhule finally delivered the news of an expected return to practice and games. Rhule said that Demitrius Bell should be back "in the first part of the season."
#Nebraska HC Matt Rhule said WR Demetrius Bell should be back in the first part of the season https://t.co/jnCznVMjS7
— Justin Frommer (@JustinbFrommer) August 2, 2025
That's great news for a wide receiver room that has plenty of talent but could use all the weapons it can get. It's also great news for Bell, who has waited a very long time to show what he can do at the college level.
Bell hasn't played a snap for the Huskers, redshirting in the 2023 season and then missing last year. However, he showed explosiveness at McGavock High School in Nashville, Tennessee. In his senior year, he compiled 702 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns while also rushing for 274 yards and another two TDs.
Off the field, he's shown himself to be the consummate Nebraska football teammate, making the Academic All-Big Ten in 2024, as well as the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll. This year, he was named to the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team and an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar.