Nebraska CB Malcolm Hartzog out indefinitely with lower-body injury

Hartzog injured in first half of Illinois game

Surgery likely

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have a significant injury to their secondary. Starting cornerback Malcolm Hartzog is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury, coach Scott Frost announced Monday.

Hartzog was injured in the first half of Saturday's 30-22 loss to Illinois. He was blocking on a punt return when he was hit by a Fighting Illini player. Hartzog was helped off the field and did not return.

Frost said Monday that Hartzog is likely to have surgery, but he did not provide a timetable for his return.

The injury is a big blow to the Cornhuskers' defense. Hartzog is one of the team's top playmakers and was expected to be a key part of the secondary this season.

Hartzog's injury is the latest in a string of setbacks for the Cornhuskers. The team has also lost starting quarterback Adrian Martinez and starting running back Dedrick Mills to injuries this season.

Despite the injuries, Frost said he is confident in his team's ability to rebound.

"We've got a lot of guys who are ready to step up and play," Frost said. "We're going to need them to do that this week against Purdue."

The Cornhuskers will host Purdue on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.