CHICAGO — The Gophers will play without two important defensive players against Northwestern at Wrigley Field on Saturday.
Linebacker Devon Williams and cornerback John Nestor are out, according to the U’s unavailability report shared two hours before the 11 a.m. kickoff.
Williams has been a consistent presence in the middle of Minnesota’s defense with a team-leading 73 total tackles, 7 1/2 tackles for lost yards and 2 1/2 sacks in all 10 games this season.
Matt Kingsbury is a likely candidate to start next to LB Maverick Baranowski against the Wildcats. Mason Carrier and Jeff Roberson might also see added playing time.
Nestor, who has missed the Nebraska win earlier this season, had a team-high three interceptions, 38 total tackles and four TFLs in nine games.
Corners Za’Quan Bryan, Jai’Onte’ McMillian and Mike Gerald are expected to receive bigger workloads with Nestor sidelined.
The Gophers also list four other players as out: Garrison Monroe, Simon Seidl, Evan Redding and Quintin Redding.
Receiver Kenric Lanier is not mentioned in the unavailable list, setting up his return Saturday. He missed the last two games.
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