"I'm not missing any more games."

[Eric the Red]

NU Football: I-back Glenn says he'll tough it out

 

BY ROBIN WASHUT

WORLD-HERALD CORRESPONDENT

 

BY ROBIN WASHUT

WORLD-HERALD CORRESPONDENT

 

LINCOLN - At the end of every practice, Cody Glenn heads straight for the training room to get his right foot wrapped up in a full bag of ice. After that, it usually takes about 20 minutes before it doesn't hurt too badly to stand up.

 

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In the 11 games prior to his foot injury, Cody Glenn rushed for 370 yards and eight touchdowns.

Since injuring his foot after scoring a touchdown against Texas A&M last November, Nebraska's junior I-back from Rusk, Texas, has played through the pain. As a result, his foot has yet to fully heal.

 

Despite the pain, Glenn says he never thought twice about sitting out spring practices. In his mind, he's got too much to prove to his coaches and, more important, himself.

 

"It's been real frustrating," he said. "When it first happened, they (NU's trainers) said I'd be back in a couple of weeks. Then it was a couple more weeks. Then it was for the bowl game. I didn't play in any of them. I'm trying to make sure I'm ready for this season, because I'm not missing any more games."

 

In the 11 games prior to his injury, Glenn rushed for 370 yards and eight touchdowns. But following the Huskers' win over Texas A&M, he missed the final three games of the season, including both the Big 12 championship and the Cotton Bowl.

 

Though he took some time off after the bowl game, Glenn said it wasn't long enough to rest his foot back to 100 percent before the start of spring practice.

 

With Brandon Jackson's early departure to the NFL and a season-ending injury to senior Kenny Wilson, Glenn and junior Marlon Lucky enter the season as the only I-backs with any playing experience.

 

Things aren't much better for Nebraska's other I-backs, either. Freshman Marcus Mendoza is currently out with a pulled hamstring, and sophomore Major Culbert, who moved from safety to I-back this spring, is still picking up the offense.

 

As a result, Glenn said he feels obligated to play through his injury.

 

"I don't want to leave (Lucky) out there by himself, have him do it all by himself," Glenn said. "I feel like I need to be out there."

 

While he rated himself around 85 percent, Glenn said he was confident he would be back at full strength before the start of fall camp. He said his foot only hurts after he gets done running, and that it doesn't limit his straightaway speed.

 

The biggest impact the injury has is when he makes cuts and uses his right foot to plant and change direction. That's when he said the pain goes up into his ankle and is the most noticeable.

 

Despite the limitations, NU running backs coach Randy Jordan said he hasn't held Glenn back in practice, and that he has taken just as many reps as all the other I-backs.

 

From Jordan's observations, Glenn hasn't shown any signs of letting the injury affect his performance on the field.

 

"The big thing he's done is he's shown up every day and toughed it out and hasn't complained at all," Jordan said. "I've always said that if you give me an 80-percent Cody Glenn, I'm going to take it any day."

[Jarred04]

I love that mentality. If he's hurt too bad I don't want to see further injury, but at this point in the season I am glad to see he isn't afraid of learning how to play a little banged up just to help aid lucky and the team.

[Alex 4.0]

can't help the team if you aren't able to walk on it. Give it a good rest this summer, Cody....

[Hunter94]

i agree, practicing (with the injury) in the long term doesn't prove anything, if it has not healed up to this point (and he can't cut on it) what the hell does this prove? is this an example of why our kids are getting banged up so much? play through pain and do more damage??

this is just plain stupid in my opinion!

[HuskerJosh82]

I have to disagree, NFL teams look at stuff like this to see what players are made of. It shows a lot of someones character.

[Hunter94]

if you can't make a simple cut, you ain't playing on Sunday either.

being tough vs. aggrevating an injury that may set back the healing to less than 100% for the season opener, are 2 entirely different thought processes. if he was a new guy and didn't know the plays, then maybe this would be necessary. to me, it doesn't prove a damn thing, but if it makes the coaches feel more macho, then i guess they will have to live with the decision to start only one experienced back, if this blows up in their faces.

[pigsonthewing]

im inclined to agree with hunter. however, he also knows that if he sits out, he loses the starting RB. whatever happens, happens. lets hope he doesnt really injure himself. im rootin for the guy.

[Jarred04]

He has a lot of time to heal. The season opener is a long ways away. I just meant I like to see that aggressive mentality. He doesn't want to be held down. Competitive drive, not stupidity, there is a difference.

[bethelbacker]

I love the toughness, but give it a rest once spring ball is over. And I mean real rest, where you dont cut on it for a while.

[Drowning_in_the_Sea_of_Red]

I wish that damn thing would just heal already!! But I guess he's got all summer to rest it

[Sugalean]

Its taking too long to heal. Sounds like time to see another specialist for another opinion. If surgery is needed, it needs to happen soon so he has a chance to recoup.

[huskered17]

i agree, practicing (with the injury) in the long term doesn't prove anything, if it has not healed up to this point (and he can't cut on it) what the hell does this prove? is this an example of why our kids are getting banged up so much? play through pain and do more damage??

this is just plain stupid in my opinion!

 

 

If hes good enough he will play in the NFL. If he keeps on trying to play on an injured foot and does more damage, does anyone think the NFL cares. Hell no. Heal up, show what kind of a player you can be at the next level, stay out of trouble and the rest will take care of itself.

 

GBR!!!

[TrueHuskerFan]

I also agree with Hunter on this one. If he just keeps playing on it, there is a possibility he won't be 100% when the season starts. In my opinion that is more important than showing what you are made of in spring ball. If the season had already started and he was 80% that would be a different story.

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA]

Agreed. Take the time to let it heal. He'll be better and the team will be better if he's playing healthy.