Matt Rhule and Nebraska have been without receiver Billy Kemp IV recently after he injured his knee. However, the head coach revealed on Thursday that Kemp could be in line to get a role against Maryland.

Rhule admitted Kemp is still a little bit away from the timeline doctors provided, but the WR is doing everything he can to get back on the field.

“I think Billy has a chance to play this week, practiced more this week. Still a couple of weeks out from what the doctors said, but Billy’s an elite, elite competitor,” said Rhule. “He’s done everything possible to get himself out there, he wanted to play last week. I think there’s a chance Billy could give us some reps this week in certain roles.”

That would be good news for the Husker offense to get one of their top receivers back. Kemp still leads the team with 21 catches this season and is second with 216 receiving yards.

In place of Kemp, Malachi Coleman has stepped up recently with 4 catches for 88 yards and a touchdown, and Jaylen Lloyd also has 3 catches for 88 yards and a touchdown. Still, the presence of Kemp would be another piece for defenses to consider and a veteran safety blanket for QB Heinrich Haarberg as he looks to get back on track.