Gophers Hid Star RB Injury Against Key Rival

Over the weekend P.J. Fleck took what may have been the worst paddling of his adult life. A spank down in Iowa City at the hands of Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes was on display for all to see. After a big win against Nebraska, his Minnesota Gophers came out flat and continually got punched in the mouth.

It seemed curious that the Hawkeyes were favorites by more than a touchdown with the teams owning identical records and both riding high. There was no question who asserted dominance by the end, and Fleck willingly went into the game with his star running back, Darius Taylor, looking questionable.

Darius Taylor injury now raises serious eyebrows for MN Gophers

The Minnesota Gophers kicked off against the Iowa Hawkeyes at 2:30 pm on Saturday. Fleck and his traditional “two hours before the game” injury report was provided at 12:30 pm. Here is what that looked like.

Today’s availability report pic.twitter.com/ss8n1AoJsl

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) October 25, 2025

Not only is starting running back Darius Taylor not listed as questionable, not a single Gophers player was. The star running back played three snaps, he carried the ball one time for a single yard, and then spent the rest of the game on the sideline.

At halftime, Fleck said directly about Taylor that, “he won’t be back.” It was a curt response from a coach getting his tail kicked, but it was one that seemingly had already been predetermined.

Detail: On @KFAN1003, #Gophers coach PJ Fleck said something came up injury-wise for Darius Taylor during the week of #Hawkeyes loss. It factored in him getting only one carry, playing three snaps in Iowa City. Fleck didn't share if Taylor can play vs. Michigan State on Saturday.

— Andy Greder (@andygreder) October 28, 2025

Banking on Taylor to play at this point in his career is fruitless. Despite being uber-talented, he misses games every season, and the list of maladies is a mile long. He suffered a hamstring injury earlier this year, and has already been sidelined during his junior season.

Still, what happened in Iowa for the Gophers is inexcusable given the ramifications in this sports landscape. Fleck already safeguards his injury report to the tune of a final 120 minutes. Taylor was never going to be worth a touchdown swing on the spread, but knowing something was up, reporting nothing, and immediately rendering him unavailable was a goofy plan of attack.

There’s gambling issues at the NBA level, and problems with health reported at the NFL level. Minnesota needs no part of welcoming themselves into that realm as well. Maybe Taylor will be back against Michigan State or maybe he won’t. Hopefully Fleck, and the injury report, will be forthcoming with all players availability regardless.