Nebraska receiver Jordan Westerkamp hyperextended his knee late in Saturday's loss to Minnesota, but said Tuesday he feels fine.
"It's all good," he told reporters after practice.
One potential problem: Westerkamp might soon have an injury to deal with if he keeps kicking himself for an incompletion on Nebraska's second-to-last play from scrimmage.
On second-and-9 from Minnesota's 30-yard line, with Nebraska trailing 28-24, Westerkamp leaped but couldn't quite come down with quarterback Tommy Armstrong's pass into the back of the end zone.
Westerkamp's cleats snagged the FieldTurf on the play, leading to the hyperextension. It would've been a very difficult catch.
"I should've made the play," said Westerkamp, a 6-foot, 195-pound sophomore with outstanding leaping ability. "To me, it's extremely frustrating because I kind of ask myself, 'Why? Why didn't I make the play?'
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"I felt like I had my eyes on the ball the whole time. I misplayed it. I closed my hands too early, or too late. I just missed it. I wish I could get it back. I can't. You have to move on."
Nebraska (8-3, 4-3 Big Ten), riding a two-game losing skid, plays Friday at Iowa (7-4, 4-3). Westerkamp, the team's leading receiver with 39 receptions, said the vibe in practice has been "upbeat."
"The guys remain positive," he said. "Our senior leaders have been great, keeping everybody upbeat. I think we've had a good week of practice."
Husker junior cornerback Daniel Davie said a team meeting at the beginning of the week helped.
Captains talked.
"Guys kind of got up and said, 'We can't be feeling sorry for ourselves. We can't not just show up for the game. We've got to be prepared to play,'" Davie said. "We're real hungry for the win, and guys are preparing that way. We're just looking forward to Friday."
* ADJUSTMENT: Westerkamp's importance to the offense obviously increases if fellow receiver Kenny Bell is unable to play.
NU coach Bo Pelini said Tuesday that Bell is questionable for Friday.
A senior from Boulder, Colorado, Bell suffered a head injury at the end of his 73-yard catch-and-run during Nebraska's first series last week.
Bell ranks second on the team with 37 receptions, and his 664 receiving yards tops the team.
"Hopefully we get him back for this game," Westerkamp said.
If Bell is unable to play, Brandon Reilly, a sophomore from Lincoln, could become much more prominent in the game plan.
* INJURIES: In addition to Bell, four other starters were sidelined Tuesday: center Mark Pelini, receiver Alonzo Moore, right tackle Zach Sterup and defensive end Randy Gregory. Reserve linebacker Marcus Newby also was working the exercise bike.
The offensive line injuries meant Ryne Reeves worked as the No. 1 center and Givens Price as the top right tackle.
Pelini's injury appears the worst of the bunch. He rode around in a scooter with a protective boot over his right foot.
* IOWA MUSCLE: Tim Beck didn't hesitate.
Asked to identify Iowa's strength on defense, the Nebraska offensive coordinator said, "They're really good up front."
Which helps explain why the Hawkeyes rank 21st nationally in total defense and 33rd in scoring defense, allowing 22.8 points per game.
Iowa's starting defensive line includes 6-4, 270-pound junior Drew Ott, a former star at Giltner High School.
"They're all physical, quick, use their hands well," Beck said.
* FEWER IN BLACK: There were 15 Blackshirts to start. That dwindled to seven last week after the loss to Wisconsin. Subtract three more this week.
Nate Gerry, Josh Mitchell, Joshua Kalu and Jonathan Rose were the only ones remaining in black jerseys Tuesday. Based off interviews last week, it appeared to be left up to each individual as to whether he'd wear black.
* COLD WALK: Nebraska true freshman receiver/return man De'Mornay Pierson-El has made an impressive adjustment to the physical rigors of the college game.
"It's a grind," he said. "You just have to go through the treatment (from trainers), and do the mandatory lifts and put the mandatory nutrients back in your body.
"I definitely feel it. My body's a little banged up. But you know what you're signing up for."
A former standout at West Potomac High in Alexandria, Virginia, Pierson-El said the adjustment to Nebraska's cold winter wind has been, well, a struggle at times.
Especially walking to class.
"Early in the morning, it just pisses me off," he said. "I put my headphones on. Put my hat on. Make sure my coat is all the way zipped up. I don't take my hands out of my pocket.
"I put my head down and walk as fast as I can."
— Steven M. Sipple and Brian Christopherson