A.J. Turner News, Rumors, Updates - Minnesota Golden Gophers

Logs first full-contact practice Turner (knee) logged his first full-contact practice Thursday, Andy Greger of the Pioneer Press reports.

Impact Turner had been limited throughout the Gophers' fall camp while nursing a knee injury he suffered last season. The running back was finally a full participant and is competing with Elon transfer TJ Thomas for the backup running back spot behind Darius Taylor. When healthy in the 2024 season, he was a focal point of Marshall's backfield and provided a solid campaign, recording 104 rushes for 864 yards and six touchdowns.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Limited to begin fall camp Turner (knee) was limited as Minnesota opened fall camp, according to Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press.

Impact Turner sat out most of Minnesota's spring practices but was able to participate in some drills to begin fall camp, though he is still nursing a knee injury. The running back appeared in the first three games last season before missing the remainder of the year, recording 16 rushing attempts for 64 yards and one touchdown. He isn't expected to have a major role in the backfield this season and will focus primarily on recovering to suit up for the season opener against Eastern Illinois on Sept. 3.

AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out early in spring ball Turner (undisclosed) isn't participating early in Minnesota's spring practice period, per Minnesota Gophers on SI.

Impact Turner had just 16 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown last season as a reserve back with the Gophers, but he's set for an expanded role in his redshirt senior season. That is, if he's able to return to action and overcome the injury that cost him the final 10 games of the year in 2025.

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Darius Taylor OUT vs. Rutgers with hamstring injury while backup A.J. Turner to miss rest of season with knee injury Gophers running back Darius Taylor (1) suffered a right hamstring injury on Sept. 6 on this 17-yard run against Northwestern (La.) State, an...

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Out for season Turner (undisclosed) will miss the remainder of the season, according to the team's latest injury report.

Impact Turner was already ruled out of Saturday's contest, but his injury is clearly quite serious and will force him to miss the remainder of the campaign. It's a tough blow for him after a decent start to the season as a rotational back. Fame Ijebo and Cam Davis are set for larger roles behind starter Darius Taylor.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out for season Turner (undisclosed) will miss the remainder of the season, according to the team's latest injury report.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday Turner (undisclosed) is out for Saturday's game versus Rutgers, Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Turner will miss Saturday's contest due to an undisclosed injury after being injured during the Week 3 contest with Cal. Starting running back Darius Taylor (leg) is also out, leaving Fame Ijeboi and Cam Davis with increased roles for Saturday's clash with Rutgers.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday Turner (undisclosed) is out for Saturday's game versus Rutgers, Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reports.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Helped off field Turner was helped off the field during Minnesota's 27-14 loss Saturday at California, Ryan Burns of 247Sports reports.

Impact Turner required trainers to physically help him off the field. While at California, he logged four carries for 15 yards. Currently, Minnesota's next game is Sept. 27 against Rutgers.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Helped off field Turner was helped off the field during Minnesota's 27-14 loss Saturday at California, Ryan Burns of 247Sports reports.

Impact Turner required trainers to physically help him off the field. While at California, he logged four carries for 15 yards. Currently, Minnesota's next game is Sept. 27 against Rutgers.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Mysteries of Darius Taylor's injury leave Gophers preparing for his absence The team can turn to transfers A.J. Turner and Cam Davis or to redshirt freshman Fame Ijeboi or, as happened Saturday to the tune of 126 yar...

SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Nine players score TDs; Minnesota routs Northwestern State 66-0 in weather-shortened game

John Nestor had a pick-six on the game’s first offensive play, and Minnesota scored five first-quarter touchdowns en route to overwhelming FCS Northwestern State 66-0 Saturday

SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 • Associated Press

With eyes on a big 2025 season, P.J. Fleck and Gophers are hoping help will come from A.J. Turner and Javon Tracy. While Darius Taylor clearly is the Gophers bell cow at running back, A.J. Turner transferred to Minnesota after spending last season at Mars...

AUGUST 18, 2025 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Signs with Gophers Turner will transfer to Minnesota, Ryan Burns of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Turner broke out with the Thundering Herd this season, rushing for 864 yards and eight touchdowns on 8.3 yards-per-carry. He'll have two seasons remaining with the Gophers, where he should compete for carries behind Darius Taylor immediately.

DECEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Enters transfer portal Turner is entering the transfer portal, per Evan G. Watkins of 247Sports.com.

Impact Turner sat out Marshall's win over Louisiana-Lafayette's in the Sun Belt Championship and will now look for a new team. He rushed for 864 yards and six touchdowns on 104 carries across 11 games this season and has two years of eligibility remaining.

DECEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out for championship game Turner will not play in Saturday's game against Louisiana-Lfayette, The Herd Scoop reports.

Impact This comes as a surprise as no previous injury news had been disclosed leading up to the game. The sophomore running will finish his season with 104 carries for 864 yards and six touchdowns across 11 appearances in this campaign.

DECEMBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet in OT win Turner posted eight rushes for 18 yards and caught their only target for negative four yards during Saturday's 35-33 overtime win over James Madison.

Impact Turner has been one of the most efficient backs in college football, averaging 8.3 yards per carry on the year. However, he was shut down by JMU on Saturday, rushing for a season-low 18 yards. Marshall will face off against the Ragin' Cajuns in the Sun Belt Championship, but Turner finishes the regular season with 864 rushing yards and eight total touchdowns spanning 11 games.

DECEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Performs well in return Turner (foot) recorded 10 rushes for 53 yards during Saturday's 42-35 win over Old Dominion.

Impact Turner missed the Thundering Herd's Week 12 contest with a foot injury but took the field against ODU. He shared carries with Jordan Houston (nine rushes) but averaged over five yards per rush. Through 10 games, Turner has rushed for 846 yards (8.8 yards per carry) with eight total touchdowns.

NOVEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dressed and warming up Turner (foot) is dressed and warming up prior to Marshall's game versus Old Dominion on Saturday, per Luke Creasy of The Huntington Herald-Dispatch.

Impact Turner missed last week's win over Coastal Carolina but is now trending towards playing versus Old Dominion. However, if he ends up being unable to play or sees a decrease workload, Jordan Houston would once again see increased usage.

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

DNP Saturday Turner (foot) did not play in Marshall's 31-19 victory over Coastal Carolina on Saturday, per Luke Creasy of The Huntington Herald-Dispatch.

Impact Turner was seen in street clothes and a walking boot prior to kickoff before being held out of Saturday's game. The redshirt sophomore running back saw a decreased workload during last week's game against Southern Miss, indicating that he could have been hampered by his current ailment. The severity and details of Turner's injury are thus far unknown, though his absence from Saturday's game combined with the presence of the walking boot indicates that it may be serious. His status will be worth monitoring heading into the team's upcoming matchup against Old Dominion on Saturday.

NOVEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Uninvolved during win Turner tallied three rushes for 27 yards and caught their only target for five yards during Saturday's 37-3 win over Southern Miss.

Impact Turner had logged 12 or more carries in four straight games, but the Thundering Herd opted to have Ethan Payne (13 carries, 104 yards) and Jordan Houston (11 carries, 40 yards) handle most of the backfield work. Considering Turner is averaging 9.2 yards per carry this season, it's hard to imagine him continuing to see this small of a role, though Payne showed well in place of Turner.

NOVEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Solid day in win Turner recorded 12 carries for 49 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 28-23 win against Louisiana-Monroe.

Impact Turner shared carries with Jordan Houston (nine rushes) and Ethan Payne (eight rushes). Despite tallying over four yards per carry, Turner ranked last in the group in the category. In eight games, Turner has logged 83 carries for 766 yards and eight total touchdowns.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Monster day against Georgia State Turner had 15 rushes for 177 yards and three touchdowns and gathered in their only target for 30 yards and one touchdown during Thursday's 35-20 victory against Georgia State.

Impact Turner was exceptional Thursday, turning his season-high 15 carries into a season-best 177 yards and three scores. He was also a factor in the passing game, finding the end zone for a fourth time on a 30-yard catch and run. The redshirt sophomore is averaging 102.4 rushing yards per game and has seven total touchdowns this season.

OCTOBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nears century mark Turner accrued 14 carries for 97 yards and caught their only target for two yards during Saturday's 24-23 defeat against Georgia Southern.

Impact Turner operated as the clear No. 1 back for a second straight week, outcarrying Jordan Houston 14 to 6. He was ultra-efficient once again, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. Through six games, Turner has turned 56 rushes into 540 yards to go with three total touchdowns.

OCTOBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Solid showing against App. State Turner posted 12 rushes for 65 yards and one touchdown and hauled in their only target for five yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 52-37 win over Appalachian State.

Impact Turner outcarried Jordan Houston 12 to 6, but his performance was overshadowed by a 15-carry, 140-yard day from QB Braylon Braxton. Saturday marked Turner's first game with double-digit carries, and he's up to 42 rushes for 443 yards and two scores on the year.

OCTOBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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Nine players score TDs; Minnesota routs Northwestern State 66-0 in weather-shortened game