Nebraska head coach Scott Frost announced Tuesday that sophomore running back Maurice Washington would be a limited participant in spring practices, as he awaits clarity on legal charges in California.

During his first press conference of the spring on Tuesday, Frost said Washington will be part of what Nebraska does in practice, but “won’t be doing as much as he might be doing.” Frost said he’s not sure if Washington will be at every practice this spring.

“I’m troubled any time anybody who is involved with our team conducts themselves in a way that sheds a negative light on the team or the university,” Frost said. “Everybody involved with our program needs to understand they don’t just represent themselves, they represent our team and the University of Nebraska, the athletic department and the whole state. That’s a lot of responsibility, but there’s a lot of benefit that comes with being a player at the University of Nebraska, too.

“In regards to Maurice, we hope we gain some more clarity on the matter real soon. To my knowledge that process is moving on. We’re trying to keep him in as close to a normal routine of a student athlete as we can. In the meantime, I think any time anybody on our team behaves in a way that isn’t consistent with our values as a team or a University, they run the risk of losing play time or putting their status on the team in jeopardy. To me, it’s important to have a complete understanding of the situation before that decision is made.”

Washington is facing charges from an incident last March when he allegedly sent a 10-second video of an alleged sexual assault of his former girlfriend to her – with a felony charge attached due to possessing and sending video of a person who wasn't 18 at the time it was recorded.

Frost previously said that he expected Washington to return to California to voluntarily turn himself in, though when that might occur is still unclear.

Frost emphasized Tuesday that the decision about Washington’s future is made by Frost in conjunction with administration in the university. He also clarified the timeline of what he knew in regards to Washington being under investigation for the crime. Frost said he was aware of very little in regards to Washington’s situation in the fall. Frost said all he knew in the fall is that Washington was requested for questioning.

“We didn’t know very much about it,” Frost said. “Then what we knew was one of the members of our staff was contacted for an interview by the attorney general of the state of Nebraska. At that time, several of us had a relationship with the former Attorney General of Nebraska, and we contacted him to represent (Washington) in that questioning. At that time, all I knew was it was a matter that took place when he was in high school and the impression I was given was they didn’t think it would rise to a level that would require action by us. The next I heard about it in January. I don’t know what anybody could have done differently.”

Washington practiced during Nebraska’s first spring practice on Monday, but with his day-to-day involvement up in the air, Nebraska will turn to a deep, but inexperienced group of running backs this spring.

“I’m going to coach the guys who are in the room or out at practice whether that’s injury or certain circumstances outside of my control,” running backs coach Ryan Held said. “I do feel like we have some other guys that we can utilize. Wandale being here, he’s learning wide receiver, but he gives some flexibility. Miles Jones. That’s why you want to recruit some hybrid guys. That doubles your depth. Those two guys will definitely contribute to my room. Obviously, we have Jaylin Bradley, Wyatt (Mazour), Brody Belt as a walk-on.”

Held said he’s also not concerned about Washington’s development this spring. He said Washington will be fine improving as he looks to build on a freshman campaign where he totaled 455 rushing yards and 221 receiving yards.

“We have to get them all ready,” Held said. “In his situation with whatever the limitations are going to be, whatever the situation is, if it’s something that’s an extended period of time, we pickup and makeup for lost time when it presents itself.”