LINCOLN, Neb. − The injury issues continue to grow for Michigan State football, even with the return of linebacker Wayne Matthews III.
The Spartans will be without two starters in their defensive backfield against Nebraska, with both safety Nikai Martinez and nickelback Ade Willie out for the 4 p.m. game (FS1) on Saturday, Oct. 4.
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It is tough timing for MSU, which ranks 115th in FBS in both passing yards allowed (263.5) and passing efficiency defense (149.81).
Michigan State’s Nikai Martinez, left, celebrates a play with Aisea Moa against Youngstown State during the third quarter on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Huskers quarterback Dylan Raiola, the son of former Detroit Lions and Nebraska offensive lineman Dominic Raiola, has completed 75.6% of his passes while throwing for 1,137 yards and 11 touchdowns to just one pick this season.
The injuries likely will thrust senior Armorion Smith back into starting duty at one of those spots, potentially alongside safety Justin Denson. Transfer Dontavius Nash also could be an option after returning from an early-season injury, though he has not yet dressed for a game.
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MSU (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) also will be without linebacker Marcellius Pulliam and left tackle Stanton Ramil, who coach Jonathan Smith said will miss a month.
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Matthews is not listed on the injury report after being driven off the field on a backboard wearing a neckbrace and taken by ambulance to a hospital during the Spartans’ 45-31 loss at USC on Sept. 20. Smith said multiple times this week that the senior was trending toward playing against the Cornhuskers (3-1, 0-1).
Wide receiver/kick returner Alante Brown also remains out, but he is not being considered a season-ending injury loss at this point. MSU has four players who have been ruled out for the rest of the year (offensive guard Luka Vincic, linebacker Brady Pretzlaff and defensive backs Caleb Gash and Andrew Brinson IV.
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Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football injury report: Spartans’ down Nikai Martinez
