Michigan Football Injury News: Will Johnson Status For Title Game

After suffering an injury against Ohio State, the latest Michigan football injury news is a bit of a question mark, though the status of U-M defensive star Will Johnson (cornerback) for this weekend’s Big Ten title game against Iowa is starting to become clear. From what we’ve gathered, Johnson will likely be limited at best and sitting out at worst — this would likely be in hopes that Johnson will be back to 100 percent for the Wolverines’ College Football Playoff matchup.

Michigan football injury playing status of Will Johnson becoming clear

Will Johnson did not play for most of the second half during Michigan’s incredible 30-24 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes last weekend. That said, he still gave the Maize and Blue a crucial interception — getting the ball inside of the 10-yard line — before leaving toward the start of the third quarter.

Now, during this weekend’s game against Iowa, Michigan football doesn’t really need Will Johnson to play seeing as Iowa has a horrible offense and no true wide receiving threats. While it’s clear that defensive coordinator Jesse Minter (second season) would like to get Johnson some snaps, it sounds like the team is already prepping for some of the other cornerbacks to play in his place on Saturday.

Jesse Minter explains

Below is what Minter said on Wednesday.

“Hopefully, (Will Johnson) gets close to being able to (play), to give us some snaps,” Jesse Minter said Wednesday at Schmbechler Hall. “What a credit to the other guys. (Johnson) didn’t play from about the eight or nine-minute mark of the third quarter. For us to still to be able to maintain what we were able to do, make some plays at the end with Ja’Den McBurrows hugely stepping up and sliding in and playing nickel. Mikey (Sainristil) has the ability to go from inside to outside.

“We’ll do the same thing this week. If Will (Johnson) is ready, we play him, and we’ll try to keep him at a snap count that we can manage for his situation,” Minter added. “We have a lot of confidence in the other guys to get the job done. There’s some more — that’s really, in my opinion, we’re still trying to get that next guy or two really game-ready. The guys continue to work really hard in practice. Hopefully, this is a game where maybe we can throw some more guys in there.”

The short on Johnson’s status: If he can play, he will, but U-M will limit him. If not, Michigan isn’t risking anything ahead of the playoff.

Wolverines chasing third straight Big Ten title after another Ohio State win

Will Johnson also said on Tuesday that he is open to playing in the Big Ten title game, but it largely depends on his injury status. For now, expect Johnson to potentially play a few reps to feel things out so that he and the staff can make a final call from there. Regardless, he will enter the game as “questionable” and will play limited snaps at best.

Jesse Minter updated what Michigan’s plan with Will Johnson is going to be.

Of course, Johnson was hurt against Ohio State, and it’s still unclear if he will play this weekend.

I’ll have more on @bluebyninety soon. pic.twitter.com/sGp7xeuWTa

— CJ Mangum (@cjmangum_) November 30, 2023

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