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

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

The Michigan Wolverines football team plays their opening game of 2023 in The Big House on Saturday at noon versus East Carolina. The Maize and Blue, who are 36-point favorites, might start the game without a number of important players on both sides of the ball.

Both sophomore Tyler Morris, who is seen as a starter at slot receiver, and junior Peyton O’Leary, a former walk-on who shined in practice last year and had a strong spring game, have lost time due to injuries.

On the radio program “Inside Michigan Football,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh stated, “Tyler Morris and Peyton O’Leary— they had stepped up.” They were given more responsibility, and by the middle of camp, they were solving a problem.They’ll hopefully be back close to full strength this week — if not week one or two, we’ll see.”

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

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.

Due to his daily attendance, [Junior] Christian Dixon has had an excellent camp experience. He has been there; he hasn’t missed a day. Every day, it’s what we refer to as TED. It takes true talent to be present every day. [Junior] Joe Taylor has been excellent and keeps up his good work on special teams. Jake Thaw, the senior, has had an excellent camp.

“And I’m excited to see what the freshman can accomplish. They have the authorization and capacity to start, be reliable, and make huge plays. The names are Karmello English, Semaj Morgan, and Frederick Moore, not in any particular order.Additionally, Kendrick Bell has been practicing receiving.

“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.

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