Bad day: Nebraska Cornhuskers lose 3 for season on defense

The Nebraska Cornhuskers, ranked No. 22 in the preseason USA Today coaches poll, had a bad Friday, apparently losing three defensive players for the season.

The school announced Friday morning that nickel cornerback Charles Jackson would miss the 2014 season with a knee injury that will require surgery.

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Later in the day, the athletic department issued a statement that safety LeRoy Alexander had been suspended for the entire season, with no reason given for the action.

The player’s mother, Theresa Alexander, told the Omaha World-Herald she was fine with the punishment … for whatever it was for.

“Whatever Nebraska says, I stand 100 percent behind Nebraska.”

The hat trick was completed late Friday night when linebacker Michael Rose posted on social media that he had sustained a knee injury and would miss the entire season.

The university has not confirmed Rose’s injury.

Jackson, a junior, was a special teams performer for the last two seasons but was expected to have a shot at the nickel corner spot. Jackson had seven tackles and a forced fumble in 2013.

Alexander, a sophomore who will remain with the program, was expected to be a starter this year in the secondary after playing in all 13 games, starting one, last season. He had 34 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.

The biggest loss would be Rose, also a sophomore. He had 66 tackles in 12 games in 2013, seven of them starts, with six of those tackles for loss. He also had a pass breakup and two quarterback hits.

The 66 tackles by Rose were a school record for a freshman.

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