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P.J. Fleck addresses severity of Zack Annexstad’s foot injury
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Minnesota endured some tough news this week, as sophomore quarterback Zack Annexstad suffered a foot injury early in fall camp, sidelining him for quite some time.
The news came out on Saturday, but the extent of the injury was unknown. Later in the day, head coach P.J. Fleck talked about the seriousness of Annexstad’s injury, and it doesn’t sound too promising.
“Towards the end of practice yesterday, non-contact injury, Zack threw the ball, felt a pop in his foot, just like that,” Fleck told reporters. “We’ll see. It’s indefinite because there’s a timeframe that could fit in that he could come back, wherever it is in the year, somehow some way.”
Fleck said they’re still learning a lot of information about the injury, but it sounds like it could be one that keeps Annexstad on the sideline for the year.
Annexstad started the first seven games for the Golden Gophers as a true freshman walk-on. Injuries last season kept him mostly sidelined for the final six games, allowing Tanner Morgan to take over under center.
Annexstad threw for 1,277 yards and nine touchdowns with seven interceptions last season. His injury almost certainly guarantees it will be Morgan who is the starter for Minnesota in the opener against South Dakota State on Thursday, Aug. 29.
If Annexstad is unable to return this fall, or plays in four games or less, he’ll be able to utilize the 2019 season as a redshirt year.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB