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Ole Miss defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche told his coach he wants to keep playing offense, despite suffering a concussion during the Rebels’ 37-24 loss to Memphis last Saturday.
“He came to see me (Monday) morning to make sure I wasn’t thinking of keeping him from doing that,” Rebels head coach Hugh Freeze told the USA Today. “That is just the competitor in him for sure.”
Freeze said he hadn’t decided whether or not he would continue using Nkemdiche on offense.
This season, Nkemdiche has carried the ball four times and scored two touchdowns. He also caught a 31-yard touchdown pass.
Freeze said the junior defensive tackle was still going through the concussion protocol, and has not been cleared to play in Saturday’s game yet. The coach said the school’s concussion protocol, which includes a multi-step process where medical professionals monitor and test players for cognitive function and post-concussion symptoms, is usually not completed until later in the week.
Nkemdiche has been a big part of the Rebels’ defense the past three seasons. This year, he has posted 17 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and four quarterback hits. Several analysts have said Nkemdiche will be one of the top available players in next year’s NFL Draft if he decides to enter it.
After the Memphis game, Freeze said he didn’t think he could “operate out of fear of getting somebody injured if it helps your football team.”
The 24th-ranked Rebels host No. 15 Texas A&M at 7 p.m. Saturday. The game will be shown on ESPN.
