After missing last week's game because of a calf injury, Gophers tight end Maxx Williams is questionable for Saturday's game at Michigan, coach Jerry Kill said.
Kill said Williams wasn't ready to practice Tuesday. But the coach also noted that guard Zac Epping didn't practice last week until Thursday because of a high ankle sprain but still managed to make his 38th consecutive start.
The Gophers lost Duke Anyanwu, one of their top pass-catching tight ends, to a season-ending knee injury in August. With Williams out Saturday, they had true freshman Brandon Lingen starting in his place.
"It does change things," offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover said. "Brandon Lingen does a great job of getting in there and doing a lot of the things we ask Maxx to do. But Brandon is not Maxx right now. He'll get there eventually."
Jones breaks hand
Marcus Jones broke a hand in last week's game, leaving the Gophers without their senior return specialist. Jones has two career touchdowns on kickoff returns and one on a punt return.
True freshman Craig James took over on punt returns, and the Gophers used Jalen Myrick and Antonio Johnson for kickoff returns.
Keith returns to practice
Defensive end Alex Keith was scheduled to practice Tuesday for the first time since injuring a knee in the season opener. Keith had a sack, a forced fumble and had two fumble recoveries in that game against Eastern Illinois before getting injured.
Based on the way Keith has matured as a junior, Kill called him "the David Cobb of the defense."
