One of the bigger Nebraska injuries announced earlier this week could have a greater impact on the Huskers than most people realize. One former Blackshirt believes Rob Aurich’s unit will feel the absence in several different ways.
Jay Moore recently spoke to Hurrdat Sports about the loss of Anthony Jones. According to head coach Matt Rhule, Jones played on a broken foot against Oregon and will be out for “a while.” Moore said the biggest reason to regret Jones’ absence is that the defender is a veteran leader on a unit that’s been mostly dominant but could use a fourth-quarter lift.
“The best thing about Anthony Jones is he's been around the block a few times. The maturity is there, and he's been a part of a lot of different programs. We always call him the "old head." Just having that maturity out there, where you've seen everything, and you can talk to younger players—and he'll still be on the sidelines to do that. But his maturity is definitely going to be missed on the field.”
While the former Nebraska defensive lineman thinks the Huskers will definitely miss Jones, he also thinks the injury will give Kade Pietrzak a real shot at playing time.
“His maturity is definitely going to be missed on the field.”@jaymoore44 speaks on the loss of Anthony Jones, and who will need to step up.
— Hurrdat Sports (@HurrdatSports) October 21, 2026
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Kade Pietrzak prepares to fill starting void for Nebraska football defense
“Cade's played at a really high level. He had that great interception against Maryland, and I think his ability to rush the passer is good, his ability to play the run. He's big. He's physical. I fully expect him to step in and fill that void.”
Pietrzak played in all 13 games for Nebraska a year ago and started one. He totaled 17 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. He also had 2 pass breakups. This year, he’s played in all seven games, but hasn’t yet gotten a start. He’s got just 5 tackles, but he has 3 pass breakups at the line and the aforementioned interception.
With the depth chart laid out against Oregon, Pietrzak was clearly backing up Williams Nwaneri, so he could move to the other side of the line and start opposite Nwaneri if needed against Washington.
So far this season, Jones has started all seven games and racked up 19 tackles. The fifth-year player is very experienced in the Big Ten. He started his career with Oregon, then moved to Indiana, then Michigan State, and then UCLA last season.
If Nebraska has to lose a starting defensive lineman for a period of time, this is the best time of the season, as the Huskers will have two weeks to get his replacement up to speed. NU has a bye this Saturday and then takes on the Washington Huskies in a Blackout game on October 31.
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