Jim Harbaugh announces Michigan star out for season

The Michigan offense suffered a huge blow in their Week 1 victory. Today, Jim Harbaugh announced that star wide receiver Ronnie Bell is out for the season with a knee injury sustained in the game.

“It’s going to be really hard to replace Ronnie Bell,” Harbaugh said in his press conference. “Really hard.”

Prior to sustaining the injury, Bell was showcasing why many had faith in his abilities. In the first half against Western Michigan, Bell exploded for a 76-yard touchdown to give Michigan a 17-7 lead at the time.

From there, Michigan never looked back. Unfortunately, Bell suffered the injury shortly thereafter, even appearing in a wheelchair following halftime.

Following the game, Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara commented on his wide receivers injury.

“It’s very difficult seeing a teammate, a brother out there hurt,” McNamara said. “Ronnie is a big part of this team and I’m praying for whatever it is for him to be able to be OK. It’s super difficult and you hate to see it.”

Evidently, the worst-case scenario has come true for Harbaugh and the Wolverines. In an important season, one of their most important players will be missing.

What the injury means for Michigan

With his connection to McNamara, Bell showed Saturday why he could become the quarterback’s go-to target. But with Bell’s future unavailability, the rest of Michigan’s wide receiver unit will have to step up.

Bell was an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2019, and last season he led the Michigan Wolverines receiving corp with 26 receptions, 401 yards and a touchdown. He entered his senior season at Michigan having played 32 games and catching 82 passes, while registering 1,304 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Cornelius Johnson will be looked to fill the role as top receiver. A junior, he entered Saturday with just 20 career receptions. He developed chemistry late in the season with McNamara, however, hauling in five catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns in Michigan’s comeback win with Rutgers.

The 6-foot-3 receiver has the frame and talent to be McNamara’s primary target. He will have to step up with Bell’s injury.

On3’s Pete Nakos contributed to this article.