Most players usually miss practice for one of two reasons — they’re either injured or suspended.

Greg McMullen, however, isn’t hurt or in trouble.

The Nebraska defensive lineman is entering his fifth year with the Huskers, and he’s expected to be a key contributor in 2016. But McMullen will put football on the back burner for the time being while he focuses on graduating and getting into grad school.

“He’s catching up with some stuff personally for himself. … And I basically told him the other day the next time I want to talk to you is next week,” Nebraska coach Mike Riley told the Lincoln Journal Star. “I’m just giving him his space right now.”

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There’s a chance that McMullen could be ready to go when the Huskers take the field for their spring game next Saturday. For now, Riley said, that isn’t his focus.

“It’s just a senior that is working on graduating and getting into grad school that I just gave a little bit of leeway to,” Riley said.

McMullen will take on an even bigger role in 2016 after the early departures of defensive tackles Vincent Valentine and Maliek Collins. Usually a defensive end during his 26 straight starts the past two seasons, McMullen got work at tackle during spring.

If he isn’t able to suit up on Saturday, redshirt freshman Khalil Davis is the next in line to get snaps.