LINCOLN, Neb.—Nebraska backup free safety Rickey Thenarse will miss practice time this week and possibly the next game after injuring his right knee, coach Bo Pelini said Monday.
Pelini said he didn’t know the extent of Thenarse’s injury, and he was unclear on how long Thenarse would be out. The Huskers are off until their Oct. 8 game at Missouri.
Thenarse, who has been a valuable member of special teams, was hurt on kick coverage in the first quarter of Saturday’s 55-0 win over Louisiana-Lafayette.
Pelini says starting strong safety Larry Asante is fine after hurting his left ankle. Asante pulled up after returning an interception 74 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.
Thenarse’s injury could give P.J. Smith, Courtney Osborne and Austin Cassidy opportunities for more playing time.
“I feel good about our depth at safety,” Pelini said. “We’re a lot deeper there than we were a year ago.”
Smith, a redshirt freshman from River Ridge, La., saw his most extensive action after Thenarse and Asante left the game. Smith made one tackle and was called for pass interference.
“I’m ready to play a lot,” Smith said. “The first three snaps I was kind of nervous. After that I settled down. I messed up a couple times, and I got a pass interference for grabbing a guy. But I feel like I know the playbook. I love to hit. I think I’m ready.”
