Nothing clear or definitive has been said about wideout Sam Simmons’ health since he broke his ring finger against Duke on Sept. 22.

Tuesday was no different.

Coach Randy Walker said last Monday that Simmons was “doubtful” to play against Michigan State, but he changed his tone as the game grew closer. The senior receiver had two pins put in his finger last Monday, was slow in recovering from surgery and missed practices during the week.

Simmons played only a minor role in the No. 14 Wildcats’ 27-26 win over the Spartans and Walker knows that Simmons’ lone reception for 11 yards was well short of what the offense needs from him.

“He wasn’t very effective, quite frankly.” Walker said.

Still, Walker had some kind words for NU’s go-to receiver, complimenting the courage Simmons has displayed in bouncing back from injury.

“I think it was good that he played some Saturday, ” he said. “It went a long way to establishing a confidence for him — that ‘I’m OK, my finger is not going to fall off.”

Trainers will fit Simmons’ finger with a smaller brace for Thursday’s practice to prepare him for Saturday evening’s showdown with Ohio State.

This week, Walker said firmly that Simmons would be on the field and in the game.

But only time will tell.

Thin Purple Line: Don’t ask Jack Glowik about the Cats’ thinning defensive line. No, he’s not trying to ignore the problem. Glowik, NU’s defensive line coach, just doesn’t see anything wrong with it. He knows all the names that have vanished from the team’s depth chart since playing UNLV on Sept. 7 — Pete Chapman, Pete Konopka, George Woods and Ben Kennedy.

The depth chart for Saturday’s game even lists sophomore Matt Anderson as the starting left tackle — and back-up right tackle.

But that doesn’t worry Glowik.

NU will face the Buckeyes on Saturday with the same defense that sacked Michigan State quarterbacks Jeff Smoker and Ryan Van Dyke eight times — six by the defensive line, including two by freshman tackle Colby Clark. Glowik expects more from his squad against Ohio State.

“The stakes go up when you win, but I expect them to play a little better,” he said.

strong words from a strong guy: This time, Zak Kustok was glad the Cats didn’t convert on third down. NU’s quarterback was ready to come off the field in the fourth quarter after Michigan State linebacker Josh Thornhill caught him, and in one motion, pinned him to the ground. Hard.

Kustok said Monday that he was too sore Sunday to celebrate the Cats’ win. Thornhill’s hit was likely the reason why.

He felt Thornhill come up under his right arm as he extended to pass. The Spartans’ linebacker lifted Kustok from the ground and he fell on his left shoulder.

“I was glad we didn’t have another play,” Kustok said.

Once he was on the bench, Kustok said offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson kept nagging him about his condition. But Kustok was adamant.

“Even if I didn’t feel all right, I’d probably still be out there,” he said.

On Monday, Kustok was even more defiant.

“I’m definitely not one of the biggest guys on the field, but I don’t feel that there’s anybody that’s going to be able to hurt me,” he said.

Kustok also said that Wilson spoke with UNLV’s defensive coordinator after the Cats’ Sept. 7 win.

“He couldn’t believe how much they kept hitting me … but I just kept popping up,” Kustok said. “That takes away a lot of confidence from the defensive players when they know they can’t hurt you.”

Amazing end: After the Duke game, it looked like the Cats couldn’t shuffle another receiver into their attack. But tight end David Farman proved Saturday that NU has at least one more ace up its sleeve.

Walker said Farman’s growth accounts for his elevated role in the offense.

“We thought for a long time David was going to start coming around,” Walker said. “He got better and better, and mature, and now you’re seeing that kind of continued growth.”

Farman has been a force in the Cats’ offense, but until Saturday, he was only on the field as an occasional sixth member of the Cats’ offensive line. Walker said he sees Farman as more vital in NU’s passing game after the tight end gained 48 yards on four catches in the first half Saturday.

Inches to go: Junior fullback Vince Cartaya practiced with the Cats Tuesday after sitting out Saturday’s game. This week’s depth chart lists sophomore Gilles Lezi as the starter at the position. He is backed up by freshman Rob Shirley. … Left end Pete Konopka is out of the hospital and is recovering slowly from the back injury that kept him out of the Cats’ last two games.