Rutgers won't have star running back Kyle Monangai against Gophers

A big loss for a reeling Rutgers squad.

Oct 19, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) carries the ball against the UCLA Bruins during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Kyle Monangai, the nation's 11th-leading rusher, will not play for Rutgers against Minnesota on Saturday.

The star running back has racked up 931 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games this season for the 4-4 Scarlet Knights, but an injury that knocked him out of last week's loss to USC will also prevent him from suiting up Saturday when Rutgers hosts Minnesota at 11 a.m. CT.

Not only that, but Rutgers will also be without standout defensive end Wesley Bailey, according to college sports insider Pete Thamel. Bailey will miss the rest of the season with an undisclosed injury, per Thamel.

Sources: Rutgers will be without star tailback Kyle Monangai against Minnesota today. He left the USC game early with an undisclosed injury last week. Rutgers is also losing star DE Wesley Bailey, who led the team in sacks last year, for the remainder of the year. pic.twitter.com/1kvIWEF9ls

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 9, 2024

The Gophers enter the game on a four-game win streak while the Scarlet Knights have dropped four straight games after starting the season 4-0.