Michigan TE Colston Loveland out for rest of game vs. Northwestern
The Michigan Wolverines will be without junior tight end Colston Loveland for the rest of Saturday night’s game against Northwestern, according to the team’s radio broadcast.
Sideline reporter Jason Avant said that he did not come out of the locker room at halftime and that he will not be available the rest of the night. He appeared to grimace after a touchdown grab towards the end of the half.
Loveland had 3 catches for 22 yards and a touchdown from three yards out just before halftime, giving Michigan a 17-6 lead going into the locker room. During the game, he set a new single-season record for receptions by a tight end in Michigan history with 56 catches on the season.
The news is notable given next week’s game at Ohio State, where Michigan is currently set as a 23.5-point underdog in the storied rivalry showdown.
Coming into the Northwestern game, Loveland led Michigan in receiving in every game this season. He missed one game earlier this year, the team’s 27-24 win over USC on Sept. 21.
Loveland – a contender for the Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end – is a potential first-round pick in next spring’s NFL Draft, according to most draft analysts. If so, Saturday’s game was his final at Michigan Stadium after joining the program ahead of the 2022 season.
In a season that has gone south for Michigan, many have speculated that the team’s stars would shut it down and opt out. Loveland pushed back on that idea recently, saying that guys were going to play as long as they were healthy.
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“I mean, we’re gonna play, as long as we’re healthy and feel good, we’re gonna play,” Loveland said. “Michigan’s done so much for us — all of our boys, our brothers, our family, our coaches, they’re all still coaching and playing. So why wouldn’t we play? We got goals to reach as a team and individually as well. So as long as I’m healthy, yeah, I’m playing.”
Now, the concern is if Michigan will be able to have a healthy Loveland suiting up for next week’s bout with the Buckeyes. He and classmate/cornerback Will Johnson – who has missed the last four games with a foot injury – are key cogs in any potential upset bid for the Wolverines.
Also of note is starting left tackle Myles Hinton, who went into the injury tent early in the second half.
This story is developing and will be updated if more information becomes available. Keep it locked here for the latest.
