The Gophers football program on Saturday ruled out Quentin Redding for the rest of the season, opening up opportunities on punt and kick return for the final 10 games.

Redding, who was injured on the opening punt return in the 48-0 win over Rhode Island last week, has been a regular on both units for years. His specific injury is unknown, but his status was confirmed in the U’s unavailability report shared two hours before the 2:30 p.m. kickoff against Nevada at Huntington Bank Stadium.

When Redding went out with a leg injury last Saturday, Daniel Jackson initially stepped in on punts and had one return for three yards.

Then in the fourth quarter of the blowout, Koi Perich produced an entertaining 28-yard return. It was the Gophers longest return since Demetrius Douglas had a 69-yard return for a touchdown at Wisconsin in 2018.

Cristian Driver and Kristen Hoskins are two other options on punt return.

The main question is how much does head coach P.J. Fleck trust Perich, a highly touted prospect from Esko, Minn., but still just a true freshman. On for Jackson, the U’s No. 1receiver, Fleck has shown a willingness to use his best players — including Antoine Winfield Jr. and Rodney Smith — in return situations.

On kickoffs, Le’Meke Brockington and Jordan Nubin have mixed in. Brockington had a 27-yard return against Rhode Island.

Minnesota was 132nd out of 133 in kickoff return average (14.4) last season. The U was 116th in total punt returns (eight) a year ago, but were 21st in the nation in punt return average (11.7).

Briefly

Gophers nickleback Jai’Onte McMillan was not included in the unavailable list Saturday, setting up a return against Nevada. The TCU transfer exited early with a lower leg injury in the 19-17 loss to North Carolina and missed the Rhode Island game.

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