PISCATAWAY -- The worst fear for Rutgers following the Nebraska loss proved to be a reality on Monday.

Scarlet Knights coach Chris Ash opened his weekly press conference by announcing that Blessuan Austin, the team's star cornerback, will be out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL suffered in the third quarter in Saturday's 27-17 loss at Nebraska.

"As most of you know, Blessuan Austin came out of that game (with an injury),'' Ash said. "It was confirmed yesterday with an MRI that he has a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season. A blow for our team, but an opportunity for Damon Hayes to step up to be the full-time starter. He played in place of Blessuan and did some good things. He has to continue to improve and develop. But I really like Damon and excited for him to go out and have this opportunity and be a full-time starter.''

Austin is considered by many to be Rutgers' top NFL prospect on defense. A 6-1, 195-pound junior, Austin could be eligible for a medical redshirt since the injury occurred within the first four games of the season.

On one hand, it would seem that Austin would be eligible for one since the injury happened in Game 4 -- just like Janarion Grant's did last year, when he suffered a season-ending ankle injury that resulted in a medical redshirt from the Big Ten.

But Ash said that's not necessarily the case.

"I don't know that,'' Ash said, when pressed by NJ Advance Media on whether Austin will be eligible for a medical redshirt. "It's the same game (Week 4) but Janarion's happened in the first half last year and that was really the difference maker. We haven't even gone to that conversation yet. We will, but we haven't yet.''

An All-Big Ten honorable mention performer last season, Austin is a three-year starter who has started 25 of Rutgers' 28 games since arriving as a freshman in 2015.

Austin highlighted the Nebraska loss with a one-handed interception. For the season, the Queens, N.Y., native recorded 12 tackles and a pass breakup.

Keith Sargeant may be reached at ksargeant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KSargeantNJ. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.