Minnesota Gophers Star Running Back Leaves Practice with Apparent Injury

We are just a couple of weeks out from the Minnesota Gophers 2024 football opener, which will be at home on August 29 vs the North Carolina Tar Heels. It’s a big season for PJ Fleck’s program. A big part of their potential success could be on the shoulders of last year’s breakout freshman, Darius Taylor.

The now sophomore running back launched himself onto the power five college football scene, in 2023, by winning three-straight Big Ten Rookie of the Week awards. That was before injuries held him out for much of the back half.

Darius Taylor limps off Minnesota Gophers practice field

Well, on Tuesday at a practice open to media members, Darius Taylor limped off the practice field with an apparent leg injury, of some sort, according to Andy Greder (Pioneer Press). Darius could be seen icing his left leg, on the sideline, after he limped off. PJ Fleck noted after practice that Taylor’s injury wasn’t serious.

Updates: #Gophers star tailback Darius Taylor left Tuesday’s practice limping and then icing his left leg. Head coach PJ Fleck said it wasn’t serious issue. Top wideout Daniel Jackson has been limited for more than a week. Experienced safety Darius Green was active in practice.

— Andy Greder (@andygreder) August 13, 2024

Look, I appreciate PJ Fleck’s report of optimism. But Minnesota sports fans have gone through some wild and difficult injury rollercoasters, recently. All summer, we’ve been told that multiple Twins injuries were minor, in nature, only to find out they are much more severe, days or weeks later. Now, we are waiting on an update regarding Byron Buxton’s hip.

Pair that with what just happened to JJ McCarthy over the last 24 hours. I’ll believe Taylor’s injury is minor when he is back on the practice field, or suited up on August 29. Until then, I’ll remain skeptical.

Gophers need their star running back in the starting lineup

In 2023, as a true freshman for the Minnesota Gophers, Darius Taylor totaled 799 yards on 138 carries (5.8 YPC), and delivered nearly 150 more yards through the air. He projects to be the main weapon for PJ Fleck’s offense in 2024, if healthy.

Darius Taylor was electric in the final game of 2023, can’t wait to see what he does in 2024 🚣‍♂️🚣‍♂️

Backfield of Taylor, Bangura, Major, & Nubin is going to be UNREAL 〽️ pic.twitter.com/QcaMm3xzz8

— (0-0) RTB GOPHERS (@RTBGophers10) June 12, 2024