Nebraska’s offensive line takes brutal hit as season approaches

Many consider quarterback to be the most important position in football. However, having a good left tackle and a stable offensive line is equally important.

Nebraska's offensive line depth just got slimmer. In Tuesday's press conference, Matt Rhule said that the Cornhuskers will be without a key offensive line piece this year, as left tackle Teddy Prochazka has gone down with a season-ending knee injury.

Rhule also stated redshirt freshman Gunnar Gottula had gotten time to work with the first-stringers in Prochazka's absence.

According to InsideNebraska's Steve Marik, this is the lineman's third career season-ending injury. The redshirt junior started 11 games and was expected to have a much bigger role for this year's team.

Prochazka's injury not only poses questions about who will fill his shoes, but how Rhule and company will move around pieces on the offensive line to protect freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola. Raiola's success this year will be a huge indicator on how this season will go for the Cornhuskers.

It's unfortunate to see an injury like this occur with the season approaching in less than a month. Nebraska opens the season in Lincoln on August 31 against UTEP, followed by a rivalry showdown with Colorado at home the following week.