Minnesota’s running back situation has been a revolving door through most of the season. With numerous injuries coming at different points, P.J. Fleck has been forced to rotate in numerous ball carriers through the first two months.

The Gophers face more uncertainty this week as Shannon Brooks suffered a knee injury late in the win over Indiana last Friday night. Freshman running back Mohamed Ibrahim has also been dinged up and his status has been questionable over the last two weeks.

Ibrahim did not play against the Hoosiers.

During the B1G coaches teleconference, Fleck was asked about Minnesota’s running back situation headed into Saturday’s game against Illinois. The head coach didn’t pull back the curtain too much, but he did provide an update.

Fleck said that Brooks likely will be out while Ibrahim should return, though “nothing is set in stone.”

Brooks made his first appearance of the 2018 season against Indiana, missing most of the year recovering from an injury prior to spring football. He rushed for 154 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries for the Gophers.

Ibrahim did not participate in last week’s game but was stellar in Minnesota’s game against Ohio State on Oct. 13. He took 23 carries for 157 yards and two scores against the Buckeyes. He was named the B1G Freshman of the Week after the performance.

With injuries to Brooks, Ibrahim and Rodney Smith, the Gophers have also worked in Bryce Williams, another freshman. He’s appeared in all eight games this fall, galloping for 353 yards and a touchdown on 93 touches.

Minnesota’s rushing attack has struggled this season, averaging just 151 yards per game this season. That total ranks 11th in the B1G. Last week, however, the Gophers did tally 180 yards on the ground, their highest total in a conference game this season.

Ibrahim leads the team in rushing this season, totaling 464 yards in five games.