Gophers avoid full contact, much like first opponent TCU

Five practices into training camp, the Gophers have yet to go full-contact with tackling to the ground. In fact, as defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys said Tuesday, the team probably will only go full-contact two or three times all camp.

NCAA guidelines limit teams to three full-contact sessions per week, including games, to help reduce concussions and other injuries. The Big 12 recently scaled that back to two times per week.

The Gophers are tackling even less than that, much like Texas Christian, their opponent in the Sept. 3 opener. TCU coach Gary Patterson has long limited tackling in practice, while consistently fielding one of the nation's best defenses.

"You want your best players to be out there healthy," Claeys said. "You can't beat the hell out of them in practice.

"I think if you recruit good enough players, and teach them how to get into position to make tackles when things are moving full speed, then in the game, they'll finish those plays off, the majority of them."

The Gophers were relieved to learn the results of Ben ­Lauer's MRI showed the left tackle won't need surgery. He's expected to return to practice in two weeks, or possibly one.

Foster Bush, who has nine career starts at right guard for the Gophers, has been getting the first-team left tackle reps in Lauer's absence.

"With Colorado State's new staff, we don't know what we're going to see," Claeys said. "So we're working on a lot of things that their coaching staff has in their background. Then we'll switch it over to TCU."

Claeys explained that this will allow the defense to focus strictly on TCU for the final two-plus weeks of camp, ­leading right into that game.

Claeys said he's in no hurry to pick a new starting middle linebacker between sophomores Everett Williams and Cody Poock.

"I don't care if it's three days before the first game," Claeys said.

He also said middle linebacker is one position where he likes having two players ready to go at all times. ­Williams got some experience last year backing up Damien Wilson, who is now with the Dallas Cowboys. Poock missed last season while recovering from an ACL injury.

The 6-3, 190-pound Hmielewski is listed as a three-star recruit, and he also had reported offers from North Dakota State, South Dakota and South Dakota State. The Gophers now have 15 players committed for the Class of 2016.

• The Gophers had four defensive linemen in orange (nonparticipation) jerseys Tuesday — Robert Ndondo-Lay, Alex Keith, Gary Moore and Mose Hall. Reserve defensive end Julien Kafo got injured during practice. "Nothing severe, just banged up," Claeys said.

• Wide receiver KJ Maye and safety Damarius Travis both practiced after missing Monday with dehydration. Wide receiver Isaiah Gentry (hamstring) and tight end Lincoln Plsek (back) remained sidelined.

• Twins closer and former Gophers pitcher Glen ­Perkins watched football practice before heading to Target Field for Tuesday night's game against the Rangers.

• Virginia Tech basketball coach Buzz Williams will be in camp to talk to the Gophers on Thursday. He and coach Jerry Kill have become good friends. Kill also had "NFL Today" analyst Bart Scott, his former linebacker from Southern Illinois, speak to the team last week.