Darius Taylor, the Gophers’ leading rusher in 2023, will not play in Thursday night’s season opener against North Carolina, according to the Big Ten’s availability report. He will be joined by safety Darius Green. Meanwhile, wide receiver Daniel Jackson, who was limited in training camp, was not on the report and was available to play.

With Taylor out, the Gophers were expected to turn to Oklahoma transfer Marcus Major, redshirt junior Jordan Nubin, Ohio University transfer Sieh Bangura and freshman Fame Ijeboi.

Green missed the first half of training camp but was back on the field on Aug. 13. Fleck expressed optimism that week that the junior who started 11 games last year would be ready for the season opener.

Jackson was limited during training camp, though Fleck said two weeks ago he expected the fifth-year senior to return soon. A second-team All-Big Ten selection, Jackson led the Gophers with 59 catches, 831 yards and eight touchdowns last year.

Others listed as out for the Gophers were tight end Pierce Walsh, running back Kaeden Johnson and defensive linemen Jaylin Hicks and Theorin Randle. The report also listed running back Jaydon Wright, defensive back Simon Seidl, offensive lineman Jaylin Hicks and defensive lineman Sam Macy as out for the season.

• The Gophers entered Thursday’s season opener season 98-36-6 all-time. They have won six of their last eight openers, including a 5-2 mark under coach P.J. Fleck.