Nebraska’s Javin Wright is no longer battling for his life after conquering the blood clots that twice threatened to end his career. Wright is back on the field this season as a regular starter for the Huskers, though he recently missed the Houston Christian game due to a minor muscle strain.
What Happened When Wright’s Blood Clots Returned?
Wright’s injury troubles started early in his Nebraska career. After redshirting in 2019, he missed the entire 2020 season with a preseason injury. But nothing prepared him for what happened in 2021.
The nightmare began during summer workouts when Wright noticed unusual pain in his leg. Initially thinking it was just a minor strain, he tried to push through the discomfort like he had with countless other injuries.
“I was doing summer workouts, and my leg was kind of, like, feeling, like, weird. It was like a strain or whatever,” Wright recalled in the CBS Sports documentary. “I was going to push through it because I push through a lot of minor injuries and stuff like that. I’m a tough guy.”
The pain kept getting worse until one morning he woke up unable to move his swollen leg. His parents rushed him to the emergency room, where doctors discovered blood clots running from his hip down to his knee. Surgery to remove 41 blood clots followed immediately, ending his 2021 season before it started.
“I’m going to achieve the goal that I’ve had since I was six-years-old. If that means risking my life to play the game, I will do that.”
Despite battling blood clots during his career, 7th-year Nebraska LB Javin Wright has returned to the field to make an impact for… pic.twitter.com/dwDmJM47F6
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 16, 2025
After returning to football, Wright thought that chapter of his life was over. He had a breakout 2023 season, recording career highs in tackles and two interceptions while helping Nebraska’s defense rank among the nation’s best. Then the unthinkable happened.
The blood clots returned in August 2024, forcing Wright to miss Nebraska’s first four games. The devastating news prompted difficult family conversations, with his father questioning whether Wright should continue risking his life for football.
“I know this is a game and we play this game for life, but do you feel like we should stop?” his father asked during one of their conversations about Wright’s future.
Wright’s response revealed his unwavering determination and passion for the game. “If that means risking my life to play the game, I will do that,” Wright said. “Dad, I haven’t second-guessed this. I know what I’m going to do. I’m going to finish this role.”
He fought back to return in Week 5 against Purdue, recording three tackles in his first game. By season’s end, Wright led Nebraska with eight tackles in the Pinstripe Bowl, proving his recovery was complete and his dedication unmatched.
Wright’s Current Status and Recent Scare
After conquering his blood clot battles, Wright received full medical clearance for his seventh season in 2025. Head coach Matt Rhule confirmed Wright completed all required medical protocols and participated fully in fall camp without restrictions.
The veteran linebacker has been a regular starter this season, recording seven tackles through three games while showing no signs of his previous health issues. Wright recently missed Nebraska’s game against Houston Christian, briefly raising concerns given his medical history.
“The thing with Javin was at first ‘what is this,’ we have to be so abundantly cautious, but the doctors quickly said he just has a little strain,” Rhule explained during his weekly press conference. Wright is expected to return for Nebraska’s Big Ten opener against Michigan on Saturday.
Wright has been through four season-ending injuries and switched positions three times during his seven years at Nebraska. After everything he’s faced with blood clots and heart complications, a muscle strain seems minor by comparison.