The Gophers tight end corps keeps taking hits at a time when they're trying to replace Maxx Williams and Drew Goodger from last year's team.

Duke Anyanwu, who had surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last season, had another procedure on the same knee this week, coach Jerry Kill said Saturday. The coach said this was more of a clean-up procedure and that Anyanwu should be back within a couple weeks.

Kill said the only player on the roster who might not be ready for the Sept. 3 opener against Texas Christian is tight end Lincoln Plsek, who has yet to practice because of a back injury. Another tight end, Nick Hart, has been out because of an unspecified injury.

Plsek was a projected starter, and Anyanwu was considered a top candidate to replace Williams as the team's pass-catching H-back. In Saturday's scrimmage, the Gophers started with Brandon Lingen and the 6-10 Nate Wozniak as tight ends with the first-team offense.

Other tight end candidates are Jerry Gibson and Noah Scarver.

Huff will play

True freshman linebacker Julian Huff has emerged as a blitzing force for the second-team defense. The 5-11, 220-pounder sacked Jacques Perra for a 6-yard loss on third down in the scrimmage, forcing a field goal, and also stuffed running back Shannon Brooks for no-gain on third-and-goal.

University of Minnesota, Star Tribune
Gophers tight end Duke Anyanwu

"Julian will play for us, ain't no doubt about that," Kill said. "He adds depth on special teams. He can do a lot of different things in some of our packages we put together. So, yeah, he's a good player."

Thanks, Concordia

Kill thanked Concordia (St. Paul) for letting the Gophers use Sea Foam Stadium for their scrimmage on a day the Vikings had a preseason game at TCF Bank Stadium.

"What these people did for us, how they worked with us — this is an unbelievable place," Kill said.

"They knew we were in trouble because [the Vikings] wouldn't let us practice in our stadium. [Concordia officials] reached out to us. Everybody needs to know these are good people."

Etc.

• Wide receiver Isaiah Gentry remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Kill said he's not sure how long it will take to heal.

• Starting running back Rodrick Williams got most of his carries between the tackles, rushing eight times for 33 yards. Rodney Smith also got several first-team reps and finished with nine carries for 25 yards. Berkley Edwards had five carries for 27 yards, including a 22-yarder against the second team defense. True freshman James Johannesson had two carries for 7 yards.

• The starting receivers were KJ Maye (three catches, 11 yards), Drew Wolitarsky (two catches, 23 yards) and Eric Carter (two catches, 17 yards).

• Ryan Santoso went 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, connecting from 40, 44 and 38 yards.