Nebraska’s Micah Mazzccua reinstated from suspension

Nebraska offensive lineman Micah Mazzccua was suspended last week and is reinstated ahead of the Rutgers game, coach Matt Rhule said Monday.

That doesn’t mean the veteran interior blocker will reassume a feature role in the trenches.

“I love Micah. I’m working with him to make him the best he can be,” Rhule said. “You guys (the media) talk a lot about him, but he’s a backup player for us.”

Mazzccua, the fifth-year college lineman who started for Baylor and Florida before transferring to Nebraska last winter, served as the Huskers’ starting right guard for the season’s first two games. He sat out as a coach’s decision against Northern Iowa and appeared on special teams against Illinois. The 6-foot-5, 325-pounder wasn’t on the travel roster to Purdue last weekend.

Mazzccua has seen 124 offensive snaps this fall. Junior Henry Lutovsky has started at right guard the last three weeks, grading out as one of NU’s better run blockers.

* Linebacker Javin Wright will play more this week, Rhule said. The senior defender appeared primarily in nickel and dime roles in his season debut at Purdue. NU coaches originally expected Wright to return to the field from an undisclosed health condition sometime in November.

“To see the joy on Javin’s face to play, that’s one that will stay with me for a while,” Rhule said.

* Rotational linebacker Stefon Thompson (sprained foot) ran well and will practice Tuesday, Rhule said.

* Cornerback Tommi Hill “didn’t quite feel like it could go” with his foot injury last weekend, Rhule said. Hill will likely be a game-time decision again on Saturday in what will come down to pain tolerance.