Several injured Huskers eye return to action in ‘06

By Terry Dombkowski  |   Thursday, June 01, 2006  |  Comments( 11 )

Nebraska Cornhuskers
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In a typical college football season, teams will experience a fair share of injuries which are inherent to the game. While some players may only have to endure minor bumps and bruises, others will suffer more serious blows. In the case of the 2005 Nebraska Cornhuskers, most player injuries were of the season-ending variety, a circumstance which ultimately revealed the team's solid depth. As the calendar continues its inevitable march towards fall camp, this group of wounded Husker warriors is hoping to re-emerge as key figures in a winning Big Red equation.

On the offensive side of the ball, senior TE Matt Herian has been sidelined since Week 8 of the 2004 season, when he suffered a broken leg against Missouri. The injury forced Herian to redshirt in '05, and he should be able to come back this season and solidify a deep crew at the Husker tight end position. Herian will try to re-discover the rhythm he had in '04, when he caught 24 passes and 3 touchdowns in his shortened season. His return would represent another weapon in Zac Taylor's West Coast arsenal, and his size and catching ability could leave opposing defensive coordinators searching for the Tylenol.

While junior Brandon Jackson figures to be third or fourth on the I-Back depth chart, Nebraska coaches are hoping to have him back on the field in '06 to reprise the kickoff return role he held in '05. Hampered much of last season by a shoulder injury, Jackson was still able to muster 52 yards rushing as well as gain 63 kickoff return yards. After offseason shoulder surgery, Jackson figures to be close to 100% by the start of camp, which would give the Huskers another multi-faceted speed option on offense.

Switching gears to the defense, the Blackshirts lost a talented trio of linebackers at different stages of the '05 campaign. The return of these players to a ridiculously stingy unit could mean big trouble for Nebraska foes in '06.

The first LB bitten by the injury bug last year was Steve Octavien. In the second quarter of the opener against Maine, Octavien went down with a broken leg and was lost for the season. The injury followed a strong start by Octavien, who gave Husker fans a preview of things to come by recording four tackles in his limited time on the field. If the annual spring game is any indication, Octavien appears to be picking up right where he left off. He had two tackles and pulled down an interception for the Red squad, serving early notice that he is ready to be a major piece of the defensive puzzle in '06.

In Week 5 against Texas Tech, Nebraska lost another starter at the linebacker position in Stewart Bradley. His knee injury came after posting 26 tackles and 3 sacks in the first month of the '05 season, and he expects to be completely healthy for the start of fall camp. There is little doubt that the 6'4", 245 lbs. senior will settle right back into playing a major role for the Blackshirts.

Completing the LB injury trifecta in 2005 was Bo Ruud, who went down with a broken arm before the Alamo Bowl game against Michigan. Ruud had a fantastic season; registering 80 tackles (14 for a loss) while adding 2.5 sacks. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, his expected return (in addition to the returns of Octavien and Bradley) to full health this season will only cement this Husker linebacking corps, creating a complete and multi-headed monster.

While September can't come soon enough for Husker fans, the sentiment is echoed several times over by these players coming off injury. These Husker athletes need to get back on the field again; running over defenders, under passes, and through ball-carriers to completely forget about their respective 2005 season-ending moments. Then the collective focus can shift to joining their teammates in making a serious run at the Big 12 North title...and beyond.

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