Westerkamp feeling good, glad to be back

By Brian Rosenthal / Huskers.com

The pain was so immediate, so intense, that Jordan Westerkamp immediately thought the worst.

Lacerated kidney, perhaps, or something internal.

That was Oct. 1, when the Nebraska senior receiver lay on the turf at Memorial Stadium, quickly motioning for trainers to come to his aid after he’d absorbed a brutal blow from an Illinois defender.

Westerkamp went to the hospital, where scans thankfully revealed no internal injuries. But he did have “little fractures on transverse process on the spine,” Westerkamp said Wednesday, his first interviews since his injury.

“The toughest part was the contusion to that area, to the muscle,” Westerkamp said. “It was just getting the muscles to relax, because it was in the spot where everything you’re doing, you’re feeling it.”

Nebraska had a bye week following that 31-16 victory over Illinois, and Westerkamp sat out the Huskers' next two games, against Indiana and Purdue.

On Saturday, when No. 7 Nebraska (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) plays at No. 11 Wisconsin (5-2, 2-2), the Huskers will have their star receiver back to full health.

“(I’m) good. Really good,” Westerkamp said. “It’s been a good week of practice. Glad to be back. Hate watching. Hate sitting out.”

Westerkamp, in five games, has 13 receptions for 228 yards and four touchdowns. He entered the season needing 52 receptions and 741 yards to overtake former teammate Kenny Bell for the top spot on both career charts at Nebraska.

The two games Westerkamp missed were the first of his Nebraska career.

In fact, “that was the first time I’ve ever missed in my entire life,” Westerkamp said.

The return Saturday falls in line with the athletic trainers’ and doctors’ initial timeline for return.

“With an injury like that, you’ve got to give it some time,” Westerkamp said. “Obviously, I would have played a week later and just dealt with the pain, but being smart and looking long term, this was the target date.

“I rehabbed like crazy. Huge credit to (athletic trainer) Mark Mayer and the training room getting me back. It’s been tough, but I’m glad to be back.”

Knevel “ready to go”

David Knevel, the Huskers’ 6-foot-9, 315-pound junior right tackle, has been unable to finish Nebraska’s last three games because of a recurring ankle injury.

Again Saturday against Purdue, a player rolled up on Knevel’s ankle. Cole Conrad replaced him and finished.

“Cole was doing well,” Knevel said, “so they kept him in there.”

Knevel and left tackle Nick Gates, who’s also been battling an ankle injury, have been practicing this week.

“Just prepare for the next game and get ready to go,” Knevel said. “Get ready for the game like I’m starting.”

Knevel said playing against a 3-4 Wisconsin defensive line that will shift presents a challenge for the Nebraska offensive line.

“(They’re) good players, use their hands well, very disciplined, don’t really make mistakes,” Knevel said. “Their scheme, their coach does a good job of using their players well in their scheme with blitzes and different looks.”

Reach Brian at brosenthal@huskers.com or follow him on Twitter @GBRosenthal.