Sports

Wolitarsky doubtful for Iowa game; Pirsig could start in place of injured Lauer

Coach Jerry Kill said Logan Hutton and Eric Carter are among the receivers who could see more playing time in Drew Wolitarsky's absence.

November 4, 2014 at 9:08PM

Sophomore wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky caught a short pass during drills Monday evening in Minneapolis. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com The Gophers held an open football practice Monday evening, August 4, 2014 at the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex on the Minneapolis campus. (Brian Stensaas — DML - Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

It sounds like the Gophers will be without wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky for Saturday's game against Iowa. Wolitarsky sprained his right ankle in the team's last game against Illinois.

"He's not practicing at all," coach Jerry Kill said. "He is very questionable, and I don't think he'll play."

Kill said Logan Hutton and Eric Carter are among the receivers who could see more playing time in Wolitarsky's absence. And it's still possible the Gophers will pull a freshman's redshirt.

Lauer update

Right tackle Ben Lauer also has been out with an ankle injury. Kill said Lauer hoped to practice today, but Jonah Pirsig is getting ready to start there, just as he did the first two games of the season.

"Jonah is improving every week, and he played sick [against Illinois], too," Kill said. "At halftime, he wasn't doing very well. He knew he had to stay in there and play. Sunday, he really had a good practice. The more you play, the more success you have, the more confidence in your game. But you know, we certainly need him right now. There's no doubt about that."