Michigan injury report post-ECU - When will Will Johnson return?
Michigan was without a handful of players for its afternoon game with East Carolina Saturday, a stifling, 30-3 win. The Wolverines are set to get some key pieces back next week, however, when they play UNLV in the Big House. At least two defensive backs are expected to return, likely others.
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Sophomore cornerback Will Johnson and junior safety Rod Moore, two of the Michigan defense’s best defenders, were held out against the Pirates. They were both listed as “questionable” before the game, as was senior safety Makari Paige. They all warmed up, but only Paige saw the field, and he was limited. Sophomore Keon Sabb started, while U-M corners Keshaun Harris and Josh Wallace were among those to see the most action at corner.
“Will was close today,” Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, filling in for suspended head coach Jim Harbaugh, said. “We sort of made the decision to really make sure that he gets right” … in short, meaning he could have played if really needed. But the others did well in his and Moore’s absence. Sources told us before the game Moore probably wouldn’t play, but added he’d likely be back next week against UNLV., too.
The No. 1 goal after stopping the run, which the Michigan defense did extremely well, was to avoid big passing plays. The Pirates had only three receptions over 13 yards with a long of 19, and the defensive backs all played the ball extremely well on the deeper throws. Transfer Wallace nearly had an acrobatic interception on the sideline, but it was called back after review.
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“The receiver made contact with the ball while he was out of bounds first before Josh really had control of it,” the Michigan D.C. said. “So, because he was touching out of bounds and the ball … Josh was actually in bounds but it was deemed out of bounds because the receiver was touching it while he was out of bounds. [But] I thought Josh did a great job. I was confident in him and he stepped up to the challenge.”
“I thought Keon Sabb did a great job. I thought Keshaun Harris did a great job … really, all the guys that stepped in with Rod being out, with Will being out. All those guys did a tremendous job.”
Michigan sophomore wide receiver Tyler Morris, praised all camp for his play, was also listed as “questionable,” along with fifth-year Cornelius Johnson. Both played, though Morris was limited. Johnson played a big part in the win with 5 receptions for 71 yards. No other Wolverines appeared to be injured in the game.
