Minnesota running back Shannon Brooks will not face formal charges for allegedly assaulting his roommate last month.
Brooks was arrested on Oct. 14 on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic assault but a lack of evidence led to the decision not to pursue charges against the senior.
“After reviewing the evidence, the City Attorney’s Office has declined to charge Mr. Brooks,” a spokeswoman for the office emailed the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “There is insufficient evidence to prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Brooks was expected to redshirt this season after suffering a knee injury during the preseason. However, he was medically cleared to make his season debut against Nebraska on Oct. 20.
That plan was scuttled when Brooks received a one-game suspension following his arrest and sat out the contest versus the Cornhuskers.
Brooks returned to the lineup on Oct. 26 against Indiana and helped the Golden Gophers to a 38-31 victory by rushing for 154 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries. He also had two receptions for 11 yards.
However, the 6-foot, 215-pound Brooks hurt his knee in that game and will be sidelined for Saturday’s Big Ten matchup against Illinois.
Brooks has 336 carries for 1,728 yards and 17 touchdowns in his first three years with the program. He set career highs with 644 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman.
Last season, Brooks was limited to six games and rushed for 369 yards and five scores on 79 carries.
Minnesota is 4-4 overall and 1-4 in the Big Ten entering Saturday’s game.
