Signs continue pointing toward the Gophers being without standout running back David Cobb for Saturday's showdown at Wisconsin.

Cobb hasn't practiced since straining his left hamstring in last week's victory at Nebraska, and coach Jerry Kill said Cobb won't practice Thursday, either.

After Wednesday night's practice, Kill said Cobb is "big-time questionable" for the Wisconsin game. The rest of the coach's comments made it sound doubtful the Gophers will have the senior, with 1,430 yards this season, in the game that decides the Big Ten West title.

"He's going to have to practice; he's going to have to do some things," Kill said. "You just can't throw somebody in that hasn't practiced in a week. We've got to know if he can move. I mean, you just can't go on Saturday and go, 'OK, getting ready to go.' That's not smart.

"The guy's not going to get miracle healed in one day."

Kill said Cobb is doing everything in his power to get ready, spending every waking moment that he's not in class in the training room. Kill said the Gophers have consulted with two or three external medical experts for advice on how best to treat the injury. They'll see if Cobb can run during Friday morning's walk-through.

Cobb

"I wish I had a crystal ball; I wish I knew," Kill said. "But you're talking about a hamstring. You aren't talking about something that just heals up overnight. Now, it's a strain, it's not pulled, and that's a good thing, but you just don't know."

Contingency plans

Cobb averages 5.3 yards per carry. The Gophers haven't designated one primary tailback backup; they have three — senior Donnell Kirkwood, junior Rodrick Williams and redshirt freshman Berkley Edwards.

Edwards leads the trio with 30 carries for 146 yards (4.7 average). He injured a shoulder early this season and suffered a concussion at Nebraska, but he was cleared to practice Wednesday.

Kirkwood, who led the Gophers with 926 rushing yards two years ago, has 26 carries for 87 yards (3.2 average). He had runs of eight and 10 yards after Cobb left the Nebraska game.

Williams is the sleeper. His best game came last year at New Mexico State, when he had 16 carries for 148 yards. This year, with Cobb carrying most of the load, Williams has 22 carries for 98 yards (4.3 average), including a 19-yard touchdown run at Nebraska.

"Donnell and Rodrick have both stepped up and played well," quarterback Mitch Leidner said. "They played well against Nebraska, and they've been playing well this week in practice, so whatever happens, they're going to be ready."

Etc.

• Kill said the Gophers expect to be without starting safety Antonio Johnson for the second consecutive week because of a knee injury. Johnson did show progress Wednesday, however, returning to practice in a noncontact role. He is especially good in run support, so not having him would be a blow going against Badgers star Melvin Gordon.

• Miles Thomas came to the Gophers as a walk-on from Butler Community College in Kansas. He has stepped in and filled the big void Mike Henry left at fullback, and Kill has awarded him a scholarship.

• Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys is one of 40 nominees for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation's top assistant coach. Claeys also was a nominee last year, when Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi won the award.