Will Johnson injury update — Sherrone Moore updates star corner's status
Michigan junior cornerback Will Johnson notched a pick six for the second time in four games, and both of them were huge. Saturday’s, a 42-yarder in the third quarter of a 27-24 win over USC that changed the momentum of the game, might have been the difference, head coach Sherrone Moore said in his postgame press conference.
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But Johnson went to the locker room in the fourth quarter for X-rays after an apparent upper body injury. It looked bleak when it appeared his family made its way up the tunnel to join him. Johnson, though, returned to the field with his helmet on, and Moore provided a positive update after the win.
“He came back and could have come back in, but we held him [out],” Moore said. “He’s in a good place. And I thought those other guys did an outstanding job.”
Sophomore corner Jyaire Hill made some big plays down the stretch, including a few pass break-ups, and the Wolverines were able to hold on for a huge conference victory.
Johnson’s third quarter pick came after USC had cut a 14-3 lead to 14-10 and seemed to have the Michigan defense on the ropes. He appeared to bait Trojans quarterback Miller Moss into the throw, jumping the route and taking it down the sideline for a 20-10 advantage.
“It’s funny, two drives before that, [Michigan D.C.] Wink [Martindale] said, ‘he’s going to get one. They’re going to test him, and he’s going to get one.’ All I saw was Will like a missile — sheew! Shoot it, pick it off, and he was gone.
“He’s an incredible player. He just is who he is. He’s the same every day, works his tail off, doesn’t say very much. He just wants to be the best, and he did what he did. He probably won us the game, so I’m very proud of him.”
The postgame report was extremely positive given how important he’ll be to the team going forward.
