After opening up the season with three straight wins at Williams Arena, coach Tubby Smith said he thought the effect of not having two of his team’s veterans on the floor was apparent.

But half that problem is expected to be solved for Minnesota’s game at Colorado State this weekend with the return of junior forward Damian Johnson.

Johnson broke his non-shooting hand in practice on Oct. 20 and had successful surgery on Oct. 21. The Gophers didn’t expect to have him back for four to six weeks .

After Sunday’s win against Georgia State, Smith said Minnesota will likely have Johnson on the floor for this Saturday’s game in Fort Collins, Colo.

“He’s been running and doing everything,” Smith said. “He’ll be ready to play against Colorado State.”

Johnson was suited up for all three of the Gophers’ games over the weekend and went through warm-ups, but never saw game time.