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Ankle Injury Keeps QB Jeff Sims From Practicing

Ahead of Saturday’s Northern Illinois game, Matt Rhule reflects on Nebraska’s 0-2 start and responds to Colorado’s ‘disrespected’ allegations

Joe Hudson

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Quarterback health is an issue to watch this week as Nebraska gets set for its home opener Saturday night against Northern Illinois.

Husker starter Jeff Sims could not practice Sunday because of the ankle injury he suffered Saturday during the fourth quarter at Colorado. Head coach Matt Rhule said Monday that Sims' status will be evaluated as the week progresses. 

If healthy, Sims remains the starter, but he needs to be better at protecting the ball, Rhule said. Sims is averaging three turnovers per game thus far as a Husker.

Heinrich Haarberg took every snap but one after Sims left Saturday's game.

"I thought the moment wasn't too big for him," Rhule said. "What I loved about Heinrich is that three times he had a guy blitzing, hitting in him in the face, and he stood in there and threw it. That's the courage we need. I thought he looked excellent running the ball, which we knew."

Rhule had much to say about the Huskers' 0-2 start and sticking with his process going forward (doubling down on it, actually). He also explained that a pregame prayer gathering at midfield was apparently what triggered the "disrespect" allegation Saturday from CU quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

"I've never disrespected an opponent a day in my life and never will," Rhule said.

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Joe Hudson
JOE HUDSON

Joe Hudson has operated a Husker-related website since 1995 and joined forces with David Max to form HuskerPedia (later renamed HuskerMax) in 1999. It began as a hobby during his 35 years as a newspaper editor and reporter, a career that included stints at the Lincoln Star, Omaha World-Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer and Denver Post. In Denver, Joe was chief of the copy desk during his final 16 years at the Post. He is proud to have been involved in Pulitzer Prize-winning projects in both Philadelphia and Denver. Joe has been a Nebraska football fan since the mid-1960s during his childhood in Omaha. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in journalism and economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1976. He resides a few freeway exits north of Colorado Springs and enjoys bicycling and walking his dogs in his spare time. You can reach him at joeroyhud@outlook.com.

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