Suspended Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips could be reinstated within a month if he takes steps to control his anger, coach Tom Osborne said Monday.
Phillips, a junior who rushed for 359 yards and seven TDs in the second-ranked Huskers’ first two games, was suspended Sept. 10 after being charged with hitting his ex-girlfriend.
Osborne said Phillips, who has pleaded innocent to misdemeanor charges of assault, trespassing and destruction of property, is undergoing counseling.
“I told Lawrence that he definitely needs to have some sort of treatment where he can look at how to control his anger,” Osborne said during the Big Eight coaches’ teleconference. “There are several things he has to get ironed out. It’s possible that in a month or so, in the best-case scenario, he could return.”
Osborne told reporters after practice that he doubts Phillips will go to trial. Neither he nor Phillips’ attorney, Hal Anderson, would comment on whether the running back would change his plea or how the case would be settled. Phillips is scheduled for a Nov. 17 trial.
Osborne said some critics have mischaracterized Phillips.
“It’s not as though Lawrence is an angry young man all the time and a threat to society,” Osborne said. “But there are occasions every four or five months where he becomes a little explosive. We’ve got to be satisfied here that every precaution has been taken to where he’s able to deal with his anger more effectively.”
