USATSI

Minnesota coach PJ Fleck confirmed Monday that running back Mohamed Ibrahim will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a scary lower leg injury late in the third quarter of the Gophers' 45-31 loss to No. 4 Ohio State on Thursday night. The play came late in the third quarter when he spun away from Buckeyes safety Ronnie Hickman. He planted his left leg and the lower part of his calf looked like it snapped and he went immediately down to the ground. 

Ibrahim was helped up by teammates before limping off the field to the sideline. After being treated in the tent, he walked into the locker room for further treatment. 

Here's a look at a replay of the incident.

Ibrahim had been rocking Ohio State to the tune of 162 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries through three quarters. Sophomore Treyson Potts stepped in for Ibrahim carrying the load at running back with 34 yards. They'd go on to fall to the Buckeyes 45-31. 

Ibrahim was the Big Ten's running back of the year last season when he finished second in the nation in rushing with 153.71 yards per game, but chose to come back to Fleck's program after flirting with the NFL Draft. He has 3,003 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns in four seasons with the Gophers.

He is considered by most scouts as an early second day pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, though this injury could affect his season and draft stock. 

Potts is expected to be the primary back moving forward. With that said, he is lacking experience. The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, only had 172 rushing yards and two touchdowns in his previous two seasons with the Gophers. The former three-star prospect in the Class of 2019 is a multi-purpose weapon who has the size to pound it between the tackles, but enough speed to be dangerous in space.

Redshirt junior Bryce Williams and redshirt sophomore Cam Wiley will likely contribute to what should be more of a "running back by committee" approach instead of using one back as the work horse.