The Gophers will be without wide receiver Rashad Still for about a month, but Eric Carter has been cleared to practice and could return against Indiana State on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium.

Still injured his right shoulder in Thursday’s season-opening, 30-23 win over Oregon State, while Carter, also a receiver, sat with an ankle injury. Both are considered viable go-to threats as Minnesota continues to search for receivers to step up in the wake of KJ Maye’s departure.

Still was hurt after going up for a deep pass from quarterback Mitch Leidner in the third quarter Thursday. He finished with one catch for six yards. Related Articles Gophers defense unveils new look in season-opening win

Gophers: Claeys will ‘always’ go for two when up by seven late

Gophers’ Ryan Santoso, Emmit Carpenter shine in strong special-teams opener

Coach Tracy Claeys said Friday that Still would miss Saturday’s game. On Tuesday, he expanded the timeline but ended speculation that Still could be out long term.

“He’s probably going to be out four weeks … depending on how he heals,” Claeys said. “But it’s not two, three months; and no, we’re not considering redshirting him. That’s not an option.”

At 6-foot-5, Still provides a big downfield threat for Leidner. Last season, he caught 19 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns.

Leidner completed 13 of 26 passes for 130 yards and no touchdowns against Oregon State, although he ran for two scores. Before Thursday, Leidner had thrown at least one touchdown pass in eight consecutive games.

Senior receiver Drew Wolitarsky led the Gophers with four receptions for 53 yards against the Beavers. All four of his catches resulted in first downs, two of them coming on third downs.

YOUNG PLAYERS COMING

The Gophers played four true freshmen in the opener — wide receiver Tyler Johnson, defensive end Tai’yon Devers, linebacker Kamal Martin and defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr.

They could be joined soon by linebacker Carter Coughlin, slowed by an injury in fall camp and held out of Thursday’s game.

“If he practices well enough and shows he’s ready to go, then we’ll do that,” Claeys said. “This is an important week for us in evaluating people and how injuries go.”

Winfield, who debuted on special teams, is expected to play more on defense in the coming weeks. Devers had two sacks and two forced fumbles. Johnson had three receptions for 31 yards. Martin recovered a fumble, had a pass breakup and forced an incompletion by pressuring Beavers’ quarterback Darrel Garretson.

Last season, the Gophers played nine true freshmen.

BRIEFLY

Running back Shannon Brooks and tight end Brandon Lingen had tests Tuesday on injuries that kept them out of the opener. Brooks, the top returning rusher from 2015, broke his right foot in fall camp, and Lingen’s shoulder continues to bother him. “I think both of them have a chance this weekend, but I’ll find out before practice (Tuesday) afternoon,” Claeys said. … Cornerback Ray Buford has received a lot of praise from Claeys, but the redshirt freshman didn’t play Thursday because starters Hardin and Jalen Myrick were playing well in a close game. “He’s got all the ability in the world,” Claeys said. “I expect him to help us this year and have a role and help us win.” … Linebacker Nick Rallis, Chad Fahning and Charlie “Ace” Rogers have been ruled out for Indiana State, according to Tuesday’s depth chart. Rogers had a knee procedure, Claeys told KFXN-FM.