Michigan football injury report: Jim Harbaugh discusses several banged up Wolverines, breakout DB

Michigan Wolverines football kicks off the 2023 season with a noon game against East Carolina Saturday at The Big House. The Maize and Blue, 36-point favorites, will make their first impression potentially without several key players on both sides of the ball.

At wide receiver, both sophomore Tyler Morris, considered a starter at slot receiver, and junior Peyton O’Leary, a former walk-on who had a big spring game and has impressed in practice over the last year, have both missed time.

“Tyler Morris and Peyton O’Leary — they had stepped up,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said on the ‘Inside Michigan Football’ radio show. “They were stepped up, and then halfway through camp, they were working through something. They’ll hopefully be back close to full strength this week — if not week one or two, we’ll see.”

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Harbaugh discussed some other emerging wide receivers, after noting that graduate Cornelius Johnson and senior Roman Wilson are already established for Michigan.

“[Junior] Cristian Dixon has had a really good camp, because he’s been there every day. He has not missed a day; he’s been out there. We call it TED — there every day. There’s a real talent to being there every single day. [Junior] Joe Taylor continues to do a great job on special teams — been outstanding. [Senior] Jake Thaw has had a really good camp.

“And the freshmen — can’t wait to see what they can do. They’ve got the license and ability to make big plays, to be consistent, to be starters. That’s in no particular order, but it’s Karmello English, Semaj Morgan and Fredrick Moore. Kendrick Bell has been doing some receiver, as well. He’s going back and forth, quarterback and receiver, so he’s not there with Fredrick Moore and Semaj and Karmello yet.”

Michigan also has some banged up players on defense. Sophomore cornerback Amorion Walker, a converted wide receiver, was Harbaugh’s pick to land a starting job opposite classmate Will Johnson in the spring, but he’s been slowed. He was spotted in crutches early on in camp.

“He’s been working through something all of camp, so just getting him back healthy is what we’re hoping for and looking for,” Harbaugh noted, after saying Walker’s transition to defense has been “going good.”

“Ultimately, though, I would like to see Amorion play both sides of the ball — corner and wide receiver.”

The Michigan cornerback battle will still rage on, but Harbaugh appears to be comfortable with what’s there.

“[Graduate] Mike Sainristil has been doing great. [UMass grad transfer] Josh Wallace is a great addition to the team — a real penchant to get his hands on the ball and cause fumbles, so I’m hoping that will, I know it will, it shows up in practice so it’ll show up in the games. He’s been outstanding.

“[Sophomore] Will Johnson, another great player. [Graduate] Keshaun Harris has had a really good camp. So has [junior] Ja’Den McBurrows. Good depth there, lots of good young guys — [sophomore] Myles Pollard, [freshman] Jyaire Hill, [freshman] Cam Calhoun just to name a few.”

Both of Michigan’s projected starting safeties — senior Makari Paige and junior Rod Moore — are questionable for Saturday.

“Still going to wait and see what that looks like this Saturday,” Harbaugh noted. “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 the Michigan coach has been pleased with a breakout candidate who has a great chance to be one of the first on the field against the Pirates — sophomore Keon Sabb.

“But Keon Sabb has gone straight to the top,” Harbaugh said. “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 will be without Harbaugh, who’s suspended the first three games, and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, who’s set to serve a one-game suspension, against ECU.