Gophers

P.J. Fleck says all Gophers should be cleared for contact by Aug. 10

The Gophers had 22 players who had offseason surgery, but all will should be full-go early in training camp.

By Joe Christensen

July 31, 2017 at 8:58PM

Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck (shown at a March spring practice) is not above having fun with his players or showing his intensity. (Brian Wicker — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

With 22 players on the roster who had offseason surgery, Gophers coach P.J. Fleck was happy to report Monday that all should be cleared for contact by Aug. 10.

Fleck said linebacker Blake Cashman (shoulder surgery) and Coney Durr (knee surgery) will be able to practice when camp opens Tuesday, but they won't face contact at first.

Cashman made 12 tackles in the Holiday Bowl victory over Washington State. He had surgery on both shoulders after the bowl game and had to miss spring practice. But he said Tuesday that he's rearing to go.

about the writer

Joe Christensen

Sports team leader

Joe Christensen, a Minnesota Star Tribune sports team leader, graduated from the University of Minnesota and spent 15 years covering Major League Baseball, including stops at the Riverside Press-Enterprise and Baltimore Sun. He joined the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2005 and spent four years covering Gophers football.