Minnesota Football: Two Gophers out for the season due to injuries

Redshirt junior wide receiver Melvin Holland, Jr. and redshirt sophomore cornerback Zo Craighton have both been lost for the season due to injuries, according to the Pioneer Press’ Andy Greder. Both were injured against Middle Tennessee State. Holland left the game with an ankle injury and Craighton left with a knee injury. Head coach P.J. Fleck has not released specifics about their injuries and I don’t expect him to, out of respect for the players’ privacy.

Holland had contributed on special teams in each of the Gophers’ first three games, but also represents a loss at the wide receiver position, where Minnesota has been looking for someone to step up and help out top wideout Tyler Johnson.

The injury to Craighton is particularly disappointing, as he recorded a career-high five tackles against Middle Tennessee State and seemed to be improving with each game this season. Now the Gophers are expected to pull the redshirt of freshman Rey Estes, who converted to cornerback during fall camp and earned raves from the coaching staff. If sophomore Coney Durr is close to 100 percent in his recovery from a torn ACL suffered in the Holiday Bowl, he’ll also be contributing more down the stretch.