Linebacker return for the Gophers versus No. 2 Ohio State

Minnesota will still have absences at linebacker and safety.

Gophers linebackers Cody Lindenberg (45) and Maverick Baranowski (6) celebrate a fourth-down stop against Louisiana in the third quarter of a NCAA football game at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday, Sept., 30, 2023. — Gophers linebackers Cody Lindenberg, left, and Maverick Baranowski celebrate a fourth-down stop against Louisiana in the third quarter of a NCAA football game at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday, Sept., 30, 2023. The Minnesota Gophers beat Louisiana, 35-24. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The return of linebacker Cody Lindenberg would be a huge boost to the Gophers defense on Saturday.

While listed as questionable against No. 2 Ohio State, Lindenberg was warming up to play at Ohio Stadium. He had a black sleeve on his left leg as he went’ through linebacker drills. Gophers linebackers Cody Lindenberg (45) and Maverick Baranowski (6) celebrate a fourth-down stop against Louisiana in the third quarter of a NCAA football game at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday, Sept., 30, 2023.

When he was questionable against Purdue last week, he didn’t warm up and he was sorely missed in the 49 . . .