Michigan football releases official injury report ahead of opener
Michigan football has released its Big Ten-mandated availability report ahead of the opener against East Carolina with a handful of guys out and more questionable. The list is headlined by junior safety Rod Moore, who will miss Saturday’s game.
Most injuries are reported to be bumps and bruises and holdouts are precautionary, but here is who will be out and potentially out on Saturday afternoon.
OUT
• Sophmore cornerback Amorion Walker
• Sophomore linebacker Jimmy Rolder
• Junior running back Tavierre Dunlap
• Graduate defensive back German Green
• Junior wide receiver Peyton O’Leary
• Sophomore wide receiver Logan Forbes
QUESTIONABLE
• Sophomore wide receiver Darrius Clemons
• Sophomore cornerback Will Johnson
• Graduate wide receiver Cornelius Johnson
• Senior safety Makari Paige
• Sophomore wide receiver Tyler Morris
• Junior safety Rod Moore
• Freshman running back Cole Cabana
• Graduate running back Danny Hughes
• Senior tight end Matthew Hibner
On the injury front, head coach Jim Harbaugh teased earlier this week that some guys were banged up on the Inside Michigan Football radio show.
“Still going to wait and see what that looks like this Saturday,” Harbaugh said. “Nothing long term — there are none of the sixth-month variations of injury. At safety, Makari and Rod have both had some things they’re working through.”
“But Keon Sabb has gone straight to the top. Amazing player who has really come into his own. He did last year on special teams, but we didn’t play him enough. We didn’t play him enough, in my opinion, at safety. He’s gotten a ton of reps — starter-quality player, no question.
“So has [graduate] Quinten Johnson. We’re really lucky that both Keon Sabb and Quinten Johnson are starter-caliber players. [Freshman] Brandyn Hillman, good name to keep an eye on. [Sophomore] Zeke Berry, as well. Those are your safeties. [Sophomore] Kody Jones doing a good job at safety, as well.”
Michigan and East Carolina kick off at 12 p.m. ET from Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. The broadcast is set for a streaming-only event on NBC’s Peacock app.
The Wolverine’s Michigan/East Carolina predictions
CHRIS BALAS: A few years ago, this would have been a scary one. Now, it’s just the first bump in the road. Those wanting better competition in the nonconference, though … it’s coming soon. And be careful what you wish for. MICHIGAN 48, ECU 6
CLAYTON SAYFIE: Michigan is a bit banged up at wide receiver and in the secondary, but the Wolverines should still roll and make a strong first impression on a beautiful day in Ann Arbor. The offense will be as hot as the 85-degree temperature. Michigan wants to pass it more, and the ECU pass defense, minus two solid rushers, is brutal. Senior running back Blake Corum should run wild, too. ECU lost most of its offensive production from last season, and even with U-M short-handed in the secondary, the Pirates won’t be able to muster up much. MICHIGAN 59, ECU 7
ANTHONY BROOME: But there are still a few unknowns heading into Saturday despite having a team full of known commodities. We do not know how the group will respond without its head coach on the sideline, and it sounds like there could be some minor injuries that lead to guys being held out. East Carolina lost a lot from last year’s eight-win team but has still put some scares into Power 5 opponents over the years. When push comes to shove, this should be a pretty vanilla game that U-M emerges victorious from, but do not be surprised if it gets weird enough for the country to scramble to log into Peacock midway through the game. MICHIGAN 38, ECU 13
