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Will Johnson injury update: Will Michigan CB and TE Colston Loveland play at Ohio State?

Chris Balasby:Chris Balas•11/25/24•

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Michigan Wolverines football cornerback Will Johnson had a 42-yard pick-six in a win over USC. (Photo by Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
(Photo by Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Michigan cornerback Will Johnson has been out much of the season with a nagging lower body injury, but head coach Sherrone Moore said weeks ago he expected his standout back at some point this season. Johnson has one more opportunity, and it’s a big one — Saturday at Ohio State, a team he’s helped vanquish twice in his first two opportunities.

Johnson played extremely well early in the year, notching pick-sixes in wins over Fresno State and USC. He hasn’t played since the first quarter at Illinois, though, after apparently aggravating an injury. ESPN reported last week Johnson wasn’t expected to play against either Northwestern or Ohio State — while our sources confirmed the former, they did say he was “pointing toward” a return for the Buckeyes.

Moore was asked specifically if he would refute the report.

“Yeah. I just go by what the doctors say,” the Michigan coach said. “I can’t confirm or say anything else but what the doctors tell us.”

Earlier in his Monday press conference, Moore was asked about Michigan tight end Colston Loveland‘s status, as well as Johnson’s. Loveland shined in the first half of a 50-6 win over Northwestern. Moore seemed at least somewhat optimistic.

“We’ll see,” Moore said. “I think Colston is trending in a good direction. We’ll get a better feel in the next couple days. The same thing with Will. We’ll see.”

If Johnson doesn’t play, Michigan will need to rely on corners Aamir Hall and Jyaire Hill, though Hill played sparingly against Northwestern. Moore said it was something they were handling “internally” with the sophomore, but he was pleased with his other corners against the Wildcats.

Watch for more on Johnson and others in the days leading up to The Game.

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