After waiting and holding their breath since last Saturday evening, Nebraska football fans finally have the answer as to whether freshman phenom running back Jamal Rule will play against Maryland.
On Monday, Huskers head coach Matt Rhule announced he wouldn't give any more player injury updates unless he absolutely had to, thanks to the new Big Ten availability report rules. The first availability report of the week was due at 7 pm on Wednesday and it turns out that Rule is listed as doubtful.
Rule started the game against Michigan State last weekend but managed just four carries before he left the game with an apparent injury. For a time, it looked like Rule might come back in the second half.
At the end of the second quarter, Rule came back out of the Huskers’ locker room and tried running up and down the sideline. However, those who saw him try things out said he was still noticeably limping. The decision to keep him out for the rest of the contest was easier when NU scored a touchdown with just a second to go in the half, making the score 24-10.
Jamal Rule doubtful for Maryland as Nebraska football chases first 5-0 start since 2016
In the past, Rhule has given injury updates during his Monday press conference during game week. However, following the lead of several other Big Ten coaches, he’s decided to wait until he absolutely has to tell the world whether a player is available.
The potential absence of Rule is a massive one for the Cornhuskers, as he’s become one of the most electric players on the Nebraska football team early in the season. Not only that but he’s been one of the most electric freshmen in the entire country.
Rule’s 333 rushing yards lead all first-year players, and he’s scored 6 touchdowns (5 rushing and 1 receiving) in just three full games. The phenom is averaging an incredible 7.9 yards per carry.
Wednesday’s availability report isn't the final word on Jamal Rule’s ability to play Saturday, though with him listed as doubtful, it’s clear he’s still feeling the effects of the injury.
The new rules require Big Ten coaches to release four availability reports. The next two will be on Thursday and Friday night, followed by a final, decisive one on Saturday morning.
One need only look at the gamesmanship LSU head coach Lane Kiffin showed with his own availability report a few weeks back. In the first report, Kiffin said quarterback Sam Leavitt was “doubtful,” then gradually improved the prognosis. Leavitt started and played the whole game (and lost) against Ole Miss that week.
It seems unlikely that Matt Rhule would engage in that kind of gamesmanship for Nebraska’s showdown with Maryland, but something could change with Jamal Rule as the week goes on. Suppose it doesn’t, look for Mekhi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee to carry the load. This is still a situation to watch until kickoff Saturday afternoon.
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