Gophers quarterback Zack Annexstad out indefinitely with foot injury

Gophers sophomore quarterback Zack Annexstad injured his foot Friday at practice and will be out indefinitely.

Annexstad was battling for the starting quarterback job with fellow sophomore Tanner Morgan. The team announced the news of his injury Saturday morning ahead of an open practice at TCF Bank Stadium.

"Towards the end of practice [Friday], non-contact injury, Zack threw a ball, felt a pop in his foot, just like that," coach P.J. Fleck said. "It's 'indefinitely' because there's a time frame that it could fit in that he could come back. … We're still gaining a lot of information. But it's a serious injury."

Fleck did joke a bit saying this "makes the decision a little bit easier" about his starting quarterback, with Morgan now the heir apparent. But the coach did mourn what would have been "a great competition" and revealed how the two really were neck and neck, with Morgan winning the first practice and Annexstad the second.

In 2018, Annexstad passed for nine touchdowns with seven interceptions, 1,277 yards and a 51.9 completion percentage. Morgan tallied the same touchdowns with one fewer interception, 1,401 yards and a 58.6 completion percentage.

"It definitely hurt us a lot," senior defensive back Chris Williamson said of losing Annexstad. "But we have faith in Tanner Morgan. It's his time to step up now, and he carried us last year, and he's going to do it again."

Fleck declined to say which foot Annexstad injured but did say this was a "freak" injury that's a similar case to only one or two players he has coached in his time.

Injuries have plagued Annexstad already in his young career. He endured a recurring high-ankle injury, first picked up in the third game of the season last year, plus an internal midsection injury four games later that sent him to the hospital. After going 3-4, those injuries forced Annexstad to make way for Morgan. Morgan finished the season at 4-2, including big victories at Wisconsin and in the Quick Lane Bowl.

Annexstad, who wasn't present at practice Saturday, had a tough time even talking about last year's setbacks during Tuesday's media day.

"Last year really slowed me down," Annexstad said. "And, like, what I can do with my athleticism. And I'm not going to blow you away with a 4.4 40 [-yard dash] or anything crazy like that. But you guys didn't really get to see what I can do."

Annexstad said his 2018 injury woes made him realize how the game "can be taken away" really quickly, and "situations change in football really fast."

While Fleck said this injury is "devastating" for Annexstad, he also said he has been impressed with the sophomore's positive response to it. And now, the focus turns to Morgan's backup. Two possibilities are freshmen Jacob Clark and Cole Kramer.

"It gives Tanner a lot of reps — I mean, a lot of reps — and we have to get him better, too," Fleck said. "The other two, they get more reps as well, and then you can put them in different situations. Maybe you were just trying to get them developed a little bit and make sure that if something happens they can get in there. Now, it's like, 'OK, we've got to make sure that by the end of camp, we know who's the next one in.' "

• Former defensive back Josh Aune, a freshman, has switched to linebacker to take advantage of his bulk, Fleck said. Fleck also said sophomore Nate Umlor has moved from the defensive line to the offensive line and could be in competition for the left tackle spot.

• Senior defensive end Carter Coughlin took limited reps with some "tightness," according to Fleck.

• With a 110-man limit for training camp and 117 players on the roster, a few sat out. One was freshman receiver Jornell Brooks II, who Fleck said is coming off an injury and wouldn't have participated anyway.

• Another missing player was freshman defensive lineman Rashad Cheney Jr. Fleck said he was "dealing with some issues" but is hopeful for a quick return.