Quick hits, news and notes from Nebraska’s Thursday practice.

— Mike Riley said it’s likely that sophomore safety Antonio Reed won’t play Saturday against Fresno State. Riley said Reed has had a knee issue and hasn’t practiced this week. “We might still take him to the hotel, but my guess is he won’t play and will be ready next week.”

— Riley said offensive guard Corey Whitaker is back and will be available for Saturday’s game. “Right now, Sam (Hahn) will start, and Corey is good to go at a couple different spots, probably.”

— With Reed likely out for the game, Riley said Kieron Williams and Aaron Williams will start at safety. Both Aaron Williams and Joshua Kalu will be options at nickel in the game.

— Riley said sophomore linebacker Tyrin Ferguson will redshirt. This year. Ferguson played last year as a true freshman primarily on special teams, but depth concerns made a redshirt the right call.

— Nebraska wide receivers coach Keith Williams returned to practice on Thursday. Riley said that Williams addressed the staff and the team and said the team was glad to see the wide receivers coach. “The football coaching part of it during practice will be consistent from here on out,” Riley said.

— Riley on Williams being back: “My initial deal is that it’s a mistake that we can’t have in our program, and we don’t want a program that’s high maintenance. We want to represent everybody in this state at the highest level,” Riley said.

— Riley said he had decided on the weekly Sam Foltz captain for this week, but hadn’t told the team yet. An announcement will come Friday afternoon.

— Riley said that he has decided on what he will do for the first punt of the season to honor late punter Sam Foltz, but he didn’t say what that would be.

— Riley said leading up to the season opener, the Huskers had fewer soft tissue injuries overall than a year ago.

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