Michigan injury report, depth chart: We’re on starter watch vs. Bowling Green
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan has won its first two games without Jim Harbaugh on the sideline, and will try to make it three in a row this Saturday.
The second-ranked Wolverines welcome Bowling Green to town for their final nonconference game of the season (3:30 p.m., CBS), before the action begins to pick up.
With Harbaugh set to serve the third and final game of his university-imposed suspension, Michigan (2-0) is back to full strength with the rest of the staff. Not only is offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore back, but he is set to serve as the acting head coach.
Harbaugh’s team is coming off another easy 35-7 victory over Nevada, Las Vegas, a game in which it threw for more than 300 passing yards and rushed for three touchdowns. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy continues to play well, and drew comparisons from Harbaugh this week to Andrew Luck, the Heisman Trophy contending quarterback at Stanford in 2011.
At last check, Michigan enters Saturday’s game as a 40-point favorite according to oddsmakers, a huge number despite the Wolverines’ failure to cover the spread in their first two games.
And they may have to do it shorthanded again. Several starters in the secondary are questionable heading into the nonconference finale ahead of the the Big Ten-mandated availability report due out at 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
In the meantime, here’s a roundup of the intel we have gathered during the week, on injuries and the depth chart.
DB Amorion Walker, DOUBTFUL — The sophomore receiver-turned-cornerback has not played in the first two games this season after suffering an undisclosed injury in camp. Walker was spotted midway through on crutches, signaling a lengthy absence is likely. I’d call it a safe bet that he sits out Week 3.
RB Tavierre Dunlap, DOUBTFUL — Another camp casualty, Dunlap was in the mix for Michigan’s third-string running back role before suffering an undisclosed preseason injury. He hasn’t played in the first two games, suggesting a Week 3 return is unlikely.
LB Jimmy Rolder, DOUBTFUL — After playing a large role on special teams last year, the sophomore linebacker has not suited up for Michigan through two games. In fact, his name has been absent from most linebacker conversations of late, leaving one to wonder about his future availability.
DB German Green, DOUBTFUL — The reserve safety has missed the last two games with an undisclosed issue, leaving it unlikely he suits up against Bowling Green.
DB Makari Paige, QUESTIONABLE — We expect at least one of Michigan’s starting safeties to return to the lineup on Saturday, and the odds favor Paige here. He started the opener against East Carolina, only playing a handful of snaps, but did not play against UNLV, despite practicing the better part of the last couple of weeks. That means if he could play, if push came to shove, he probably would. And with Big Ten play around the corner, this seems like a good tune-up for the meat and potatoes portion of the schedule.
DB Rod Moore, QUESTIONABLE — The other starting safety, Rod Moore, is more of a question mark. After being told last week that Moore had returned to practice, we were told he was a limited participant this week. What’s that mean for Saturday? It wouldn’t surprise us if he’s held out one more game, to help treat whatever it is he’s dealing with.
CB Will Johnson, QUESTIONABLE — The sophomore cornerback returned to action last week, but in limited fashion. Johnson did not start and only played single-digit snaps, suggesting a slow return is in order after having his knee scoped during the offseason. Assuming there have been no setbacks, expect him to play some more against Bowling Green in a slow ram-up to a return to the starting lineup.
Quarterback
1. J.J. McCarthy
2. Jayden Denegal
3. Alex Orji
Thoughts: The backup situation remains fluid, with three different reserves seeing action in Michigan’s first two games. Expect that to continue on Saturday, coaches say, with Jayden Denegal first up and sophomore Alex Orji tapped to follow. While there’s little doubt as to who the starter is — J.J. McCarthy continued his excellent start last week vs. UNLV, throwing for 278 yards and two touchdowns — Michigan continues evaluating the group to find a dependable backup.
Running back
1. Blake Corum
2. Donovan Edwards
3. Kalel Mullings
Thoughts: No change here after two weeks, despite Michigan working five reserves into the game last week vs. UNLV. Kalel Mullings remains the favorite at No. 3, behind the obvious choices in Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. Corum turned in a better performance in Week 2 (15 carries, 80 yards, 2 TD) while Edwards continues to scuffle.
Tight end
1. Colston Loveland
2. AJ Barner
3. Max Bredeson
Thoughts: Same here as well, despite the snap counts seemingly favoring Barner, the transfer from Indiana, at the moment. A further inspection shows Loveland playing more of the important snaps, although Barner is a welcomed addition in the run-blocking area. Michigan needs to improve there, and Barner could play a bigger factor as the season goes on.
Offensive line
Left tackle: 1. Karsen Barnhart, 2. LaDarius Henderson
Left guard: 1. Trevor Keegan, 2. Giovanni El-Hadi
Center: 1. Drake Nugent, 2. Greg Crippen
Right guard: 1. Zak Zinter, 2. Andrew Gentry
Right tackle: 1. Myles Hinton, 2. Trente Jones
Thoughts: We thought we might see a change at tackle in Week 2, but Michigan opted to stick with the same starting five (Barnhart at left, Hinton at right) and threw in Trente Jones as an extra lineman. And it sounds like the plan is to continue with the same group, because A.) Coaches believe they are the best five, and B.) Continuity needs to improve, evident by the ground-game struggles.
Wide receiver
Starters: Cornelius Johnson, Roman Wilson, Tyler Morris
Backups: Fredrick Moore, Karmello English, Semaj Morgan
Thoughts: Tyler Morris returned in Week 2 and immediately became a threat in the passing attack, catching three passes for 40 yards. Look for J.J. McCarthy to target Morris some more on Saturday (the duo were teammates in high school), potentially creating a third viable option at the position. Meanwhile, Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson have now put together back-to-back strong weeks, a good sign for the growing passing attack.
Defensive line
End/edge: 1. Jaylen Harrell, 2. Josaiah Stewart
Tackle: 1. Mason Graham, 2. Kenneth Grant
Tackle: 1. Kris Jenkins, 2. Rayshaun Benny
End/edge: 1. Braiden McGregor, 2. Derrick Moore
Thoughts: Much like offensive line, it sounds as if Michigan has found the right combination of players on the edge. Harrell and McGregor have started the first two games, paving the way for Stewart and Moore to come in and relieve them on third down and passing situations.
Linebacker
Middle: 1. Junior Colson, 2. Jaydon Hood
Weak side: 1. Michael Barrett, 2. Ernest Hausmann
Thoughts: Same group at linebacker, after Barrett turned in an impressive four-tackle game against UNLV. Transfer Ernest Hausmann continues to push for more playing time, creating a favorable situation for Michigan over the middle.
Secondary
Cornerback: 1. Keshaun Harris, 2. Mike Sainristil
Nickel: 1. Mike Sainristil
Safety: 1. Keon Sabb, 2. Caden Kolesar
Safety: 1. Quinten Johnson OR Makari Paige
Cornerback: 1. Josh Wallace, 2. Ja’Den McBurrows
Thoughts: The secondary remains a fluid situation with unknowns across the board. If Makari Paige and/or Rod Moore suit up, they will likely get the start at safety. Same goes for Will Johnson, who could get the nod over Keshaun Harris. But it’s all going to depend on their injury situation. Not to be overlooked, Michigan’s reserves (Harris, Sabb especially) have handled themselves well in the first two games.
Special teams
Field goals: James Turner
Punter: Tommy Doman
Punt return: Jake Thaw, Tyler Morris
Kickoff return: Semaj Morgan, Kalel Mullings
Longsnapper: William Wagner
Placekicker: Tommy Doman
Thoughts: No field goal attempts last week for James Turner, who was a perfect five-for-five on point-after tries. Tyler Morris helped out on punt return, too, making him a viable option back there.
