WR Barker’s X-rays negative

Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Minnesota coach Jerry Kill told local Gopher beat reporters Sunday morning that wide receiver A.J. Barker, who injured his right ankle in a win against Purdue, is okay after X-ray results came back negative.

Barker did not play against Michigan on Saturday, but in the game where he got hurt, the redshirt junior from St. Paul caught five passes from freshman quarterback Philip Nelson for 135 yards and two touchdowns.

There was no word on whether Barker will play this weekend on the road against Illinois, but today’s news about Barker’s X-rays will probably mean he will come back on the field sometime this season.

Barker is the leading receiver for the Gophers this season with 30 receptions for more than 500 yards and seven touchdowns. His receiving statistics are more than double the second leading receiver for Minnesota, Derrick Engel.