The University of Minnesota football team will be without one of its top offensive weapons in 2018. Shannon Brooks, a senior running back, suffered a non-contact injury in his lower leg and will miss the entire season.
“That’s unfortunate and obviously that is not the news that everyone wants to hear, not what I want to hear, but I will tell you what, he’s been incredibly positive about it,’’ Gophers’ coach P.J. Fleck said, per Randy Johnson of the Star Tribune. “He sees it as kind of a blessing in his own eyes in how he can continue to mature and how he can get better and obviously be back in 2019.’’
Brooks will redshirt the season and return in 2019.
In 2017, Brooks ran 79 times for 369 yards. Both totals were third on the team. He also added five touchdowns. His best statistical season came as a freshman in 2015. Then, Brooks totaled 119 carries for 9 yards with five scores.
With Brooks out, expect Rodney Smith to shoulder even more of Minnesota’s rushing load. In 2017, he ran for 977 yards on 229 carries.