Janiran Bonner entered the season excited to have a bigger role with the Nebraska football team than he had in 2024, when he had just 11 catches. Considering how involved he was in the 20-17 win over the Cincinnati Bearcats, it looked like the coaches had big plans for him as well. Unfortunately, his season is over after his first and only catch in 2025.
After a 4-yard run late in the game against the Big 12 team, Bonner came up hurt and exited the game. After Thursday night's contest, Husker head coach Matt Rhule said he didn't think it looked good for Bonner. He confirmed that on Monday during his weekly press conference.
Nebraska football loses Janiran Bonner for 2025 season
Bonner tore his ACL, ending a season that looked as though he had found himself an interesting spot on Nebraska's depth chart. Rhule went on to say it was a "tremendous loss."
Bonner (who is affectionately referred to as "Wood" by his teammates and coaches) suffered the injury with just under 12 minutes remaining, and the Huskers on the doorstep of finding the end zone, when Bonner was hit in the leg on a jet sweep, flipped over and fumbled the ball out of bounds.
Bonner, a backup wideout, rushed the ball two times for four yards in Nebraska’s win, adding one catch for another four yards.
Before the season, Bonner was awarded one of Nebraska’s nine single-digit jerseys for his toughness and leadership, demonstrating just how much of a role he's had off the field and how much of a role he was expected to have in Dana Holgorsen's offense.
Now, Janiran Bonner will have to be a leader for the Nebraska football team off the field far more than on it. How he and the rest of the team respond to the news, will demonstrate his leadership in the long run.