MSU-Minnesota injury report: Maliq Carr out for Spartans, top RBs sidelined for Gophers

Minneapolis — Starting tight end Maliq Carr was one of several Michigan State players who will be unavailable for Saturday's game against Minnesota.

Meanwhile, the Golden Gophers will be without two of the team's top running backs, Darius Taylor and Zach Evans.

Carr is third on the Spartans for receptions (19) and fourth in receiving yards (201).

Sixteen total Michigan State players were listed as out for the Spartans' first trip to Huntington Bank Stadium since 2017. Quarterback Noah Kim, who started the first five games before redshirt freshman Katin Houser took over two weeks ago, won't be available, meaning freshman Sam Leavitt will once again serve as Houser's backup.

The full list includes cornerbacks Chuck Brantley, Marqui Lowery and Semar Melvin, defensive tackles Jarrett Jackson and Dre Butler, defensive back Malcolm Jones, defensive ends Bai Jobe and Andrew Depaepe, linebacker Darius Snow, running back Davion Primm and offensive guard Geno VanDeMark.

Linebacker Ma'a Gaoteote has been officially ruled out for the last five games, according to the team's availability report.

Meanwhile, the loss of Taylor and Evans will surely impact the Gophers' run game.

Taylor, a true freshman out of Walled Lake Western, has emerged as one of the Big Ten’s top ball carriers and has been a breakout star of the Gophers’ mostly feeble offense. He’s recorded 130 or more rushing yards in three of his five games this season and currently leads the Big Ten in rushing yards per game, averaging 118.2 in five games. 

The Spartans (2-5, 0-5 Big Ten) are looking to snap a five-game losing streak on Saturday, while Minnesota (4-3, 22) is hoping to build off the momentum after squeezing out a close win against Iowa last week. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m.

mkenney@detroitnews.com

Twitter/X: @madkenney