Is Micah Mazzccua returning? Matt Rhule shares Nebraska OL's current status ahead of Rutgers face-off

Nebraska Cornhuskers coach Matt Rhule revealed that offensive lineman Micah Mazzccua will return to the roster. Nebraska will face Rutgers in Week 6 on Saturday.

Mazzccua was suspended last week as Nebraska beat Purdue 28-10 on the road to improve to 4-1 on the season. With the Cornhuskers playing their next game at home, Mazzccua is back on the roster and is eligible to play.

However, Rhule said on Tuesday that Mazzccua is still a backup despite starting the first two games at right guard.

"I wouldn't start him," Rhule said. "He was a back-up before this happened. When he came out of the Colorado game, I love Micah, I'm working with him to make him the best he can be. You guys talk a lot about him but he is a back-up player for us."

Mazzccua will serve as the backup of Henry Lutovsky.

Micah Mazzccua was a three-star recruit in the class of 2020. He transferred to the Cornhuskers in January from the Florida Gators after previously playing for the Baylor Bears.

Henry Lutovsky took the starting job from Micah Mazzccua

Despite Micah Mazzccua being the starting right guard in the first two games of the season, Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said Henry Lutovsky has since taken over the starting job.

Rhule added that Lutovsky being healthy played a key role in his decision.

"Henry is a guy we earmarked as a starter coming into the year," Rhule said via Rivals on Monday. "Obviously Micah and Justin (Evans) did a great job for us the first game and a half, but Henry's healthy now, so he's ready to go."

Mazzccua hasn't played for two games as he also missed the matchup against Illinois before being suspended.

"He won't play this week. He's on the team, he's practicing with us. He's just working through some stuff right now," Rhule said. "He's doing everything we asked him to do, but he won't be available."

Nebraska will host Rutgers on Saturday before having an open week in Week 7. The Cornhuskers have notable games against Ohio State, USC, Wisconsin and Iowa this season.