Already facing concerns about the health of starting quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr., Nebraska will be without leading receiver Jordan Westerkamp, coach Mike Riley announced on Thursday afternoon.
Westerkamp will undergo knee surgery and will be out for the Dec. 30 matchup against Tennessee in Nashville.
Despite missing two full games due to injury, the 6-foot, 200-pound senior had 526 yards of receiving and three touchdowns on 55 catches in 2016. Westerkamp was also the Huskers’ leading receiver in 2015 with 65 catches for 918 yards and seven touchdowns.
Westerkamp leaves Nebraska with at least one catch in 36 consecutive games. He’s ranked as the No. 48 receiver prospect in the 2017 draft by CBS Sports.
Tennessee finished the 2016 regular season ranked No. 10 in the SEC in passing defense, giving up an average of 228.5 yards per game.
