Matt Rhule offers update on Arik Gilbert's waiver, Nebraska injuries ahead of camp

INDIANAPOLIS — Whether former five-star prospect and Nebraska tight end Arik Gilbert can play this season remains undecided on the brink of fall camp.
Gilbert — a former Georgia player — needs to receive an NCAA waiver for immediate eligibility because he has transferred twice in college after beginning his career at LSU in 2020. Rhule said the 6-foot-6, 260-pounder will practice either way to prepare for this season, get ready for a potential jump to the NFL or to have a role as a Husker in 2024.
“I just want to help the kid,” Rhule said. “I’ll say this: He should be able to play. In my opinion, Arik Gilbert should be able to play, but that’s not my decision. I hope he can play, but if he can’t play, we’re going to stand by him. If you just take that approach with a lot of guys, good things will happen.”
Rhule also said offensive tackle Teddy Prochazka is fully healthy and will be full go when practices begin next week. Safety Marques Buford, coming off an ACL injury, won’t be ready right away.
“We’re going to be really smart with him, take some time,” Rhule said of Buford. “We hope that he’ll be back, but we’re going to be really methodical in the way he goes.”