Illinois wide receiver Brian Hightower is not expected to play in the season opener against Nebraska on Saturday. He was not dressed in warmups before the start of the game.

Steve Marick of Hail Varsity was one of multiple individuals to report the news. It’s a tough blow for the Illini, which already had a pretty thin wide receiver room entering the contest.

Hightower caught 11 passes for 209 yards and 3 touchdowns for the Fighting Illini a season ago. He transferred into the program after spending the previous two years at Miami.

Hightower had 1 catch for 12 yards against the Huskers last fall.

In three college football seasons, Hightower has totaled 367 yards and 4 touchdowns on 23 receptions.

Saturday’s game between Nebraska and Illinois is the first contest of the 2021 college football season.