Gophers sophomore running back David Cobb sat out Thursday's practice at TCF Bank Stadium after suffering a knee injury during Tuesday's practice, the Star Tribune reported.

“He made a cut and [injured] the back of his knee – the same thing [tight end] John Rabe had last year,” head coach Jerry Kill said. “It's not something that will [require] surgery or anything. But it's going to slow him up.”

Kill said the team may get him back towards the end of spring practices, which end with the April 21 spring game.

Junior college transfer James Gillum has seen the bulk of the carries through spring practices, because Cobb is the second running back on the Gophers roster to miss time this spring.

However, sophomore RB Donnell Kirkwood returned and took part in his first full-contact scrimmage of the spring on Thursday. Kirkwood re-injured a hamstring at the start of spring practices that has bothered him in the past.

Gophers' traveling party

The Star Tribune reported the Gophers football program will bring 149 people – 94 players, 12 former players who were teammates of Gary Tinsley, and 43 coaches and staff members – to Jacksonville, Fla. on Saturday for Tinsley's funeral and burial service.

The Gophers will still hold practice at TCF Bank Stadium on Friday night at 7:15 p.m., and will have a team breakfast at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday. The 1,200-mile charter flight will depart at 6:30 a.m., with the funeral service set to begin at 11 a.m.

“We'll get up early. Like most people, a lot of kids sleep on the flight,” Kill said. “I don't think any of us will be too tired to make excuses. We're all looking forward to going down and seeing Gary's family.”