By Tommy Rezac
Chris Jones was overjoyed when he made it back on the practice field last week for the first time in 2017.
“I kept telling my Mom everyday, ‘You know, I’m getting better. This is happening,’” Jones said. “Every day was something different. I just kept passing (tests) and kept getting stronger and kept getting stronger, and I’m like, ‘I’m going to beat the timeline.’ I was so happy to come out here and play.”
“Joyful. Very happy. As soon as (the trainer) told me (I was cleared to practice), I went and called my Mom to tell her. He said, ‘All of my tests scores were phenomenal.”
Jones didn’t play every snap of Saturday’s game, but recorded two tackles.
It was just what he needed to feel like his old self.
“It felt great,” Jones said when asked about playing his first game of the season. “I felt like I needed that game to build my confidence back. I feel like I really got my swagger back with that game and that’s what I needed.”
Defensive coordinator Bob Diaco said it all went according to plan.
“Everything that happened with Chris happened by design,” Diaco said. “We had a plan together as a football family and it was executed. It was just the right amount to get his beak wet so to speak, and now he’s going to be back in the role that most people anticipated would be appropriate for this week.”
Jones said he’d like to start Saturday against Ohio State, but at the very least he expects to contribute. He mentioned one of his main motivations in rehab was getting back on the field with his teammates.
Sophomore Eric Lee was listed above Jones at corner on Monday’s depth chart.
Depth chart. Lee over Chris Jones still at corner. Bryant still on injured list. Kalu starting at safety. #Huskers pic.twitter.com/SY5htA0mup
— Tommy Rezac (@Tommy_KLIN) October 9, 2017
Jones wasn’t expected to be game ready until at least November after a mid-July surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee. Jones was confident he’d beat that timeline all along.
“I told myself that I was going to push myself every single day,” Jones said. “If I come back early, I’m going to come back early. I just prayed about it and I felt that, ‘You’re going to be back.’”
Other Notes from Tuesday
Sophomore running back Tre Bryant was back on the practice field Tuesday in full pads. He remains questionable/doubtful for Staurday.
Junior Mikale Wilbon practiced Tuesday as well. Devine Ozigbo said he wasn’t sure how the coaches would distribute the reps at running back during this week’s game.
“The coaches haven’t really explained what’s really going on (with the running back rotation),” Ozigbo said.
Junior safety Antonio Reed didn’t practice. Head coach Mike Riley said he’s “leaning doubtful” for the Ohio State game.
Another junior safety, Aaron Williams, didn’t practice Tuesday as he continues to deal with a soft tissue injury in his neck. Williams said after practice that it’s just a “stinger” and he should be cleared to play Saturday.
Senior receiver De’Mornay Pierson-El was seen wearing a green no-contact practice jersey.
Andrew Bunch
Defensive coordinator Bob Diaco said junior quarterback Andrew Bunch is used as a “look-team QB” on the scout team to prepare the defense for what the opponent might look like, particularly Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett this week.
Barrett has been a running threat throughout his career, and is again this season with 311 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns through six games. He’s been averaging 5.2 yards per carry.
Diaco says Bunch does a “nice job” running when helping the Blackshirts prepare for a mobile quarterback like Barrett.
“(Bunch) doesn’t necessarily run like J.T.,” Diaco said. “Not many do, but he does a real fine job for us.”
More Complete Audio
Practice Recap
You can contact Tommy at 402-840-5226, or you can follow him on Twitter @Tommy_KLIN.
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