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Mike Riley provides update on injuries to top Nebraska pass-catchers
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There was hope that the bye week would help Nebraska’s banged up pass-catchers get healthy before traveling to Indiana.
Top receiver Jordan Westerkamp and tight end Cethan Carter both went down with injuries in Saturday’s game against Illinois.
Even with Indiana 11 days away, Nebraska coach Mike Riley already said that both of them will likely be sidelined for that game.
Riley says Westerkamp and Carter likely out for Indiana, but may be available the following week.
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) October 4, 2016
Riley said that the initial fear was that Westerkamp’s back injury would be worse than just a week-to-week issue. He went down in the second half on Saturday and was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Riley didn’t say definitely what the diagnosis was, just that his status would be evaluated as the date nears.
And Carter left Saturday’s game with a left arm injury after falling on it in the first half on Saturday. The Huskers’ top tight end was coming off his first touchdown of the year against Northwestern last week.
It remains to be seen what both Westerkamp’s and Carter’s timetables will look like.
Riley says Westerkamp’s and Carter’s injuries are going to take a little time to heal "before we can tell exactly when they’ll be back."
— Hail Varsity (@HailVarsity) October 4, 2016
Both will obviously be tough losses for Nebraska. Carter has had his share of injuries throughout his career, but Westerkamp is Tommy Armstrong’s go-to target. He has two multi-score games this season and is tied for first on the team in receptions.
If Westerkamp and Carter could return the following week, they would be back in time to avenge last year’s loss to Purdue.
Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Tradition. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.