When the season started, an all-senior secondary was considered the strength of a top-notch Gophers defense. But it was together for only one game, the opener against Texas Christian.
Safety Damarius Travis injured a hamstring in that game and hasn't played since. Now the senior will seek a medical redshirt and another year of eligibility.
Although the foursome weren't able to play together, Johnson said the decision makes sense.
"If I was putting myself in his shoes, if I missed that many games my senior year, I would probably want to get that year back," said safety Antonio Johnson, who leads the Gophers with 55 tackles.