Michigan football injury update: 2 stars “getting closer” to playing

Last weekend, both Rod Moore (junior, safety) and Will Johnson (sophomore, cornerback) dressed for the team’s season opener against East Carolina, yet neither saw game action. For the Wolverines, getting these two back to 100% is crucial; according to a new Michigan football injury update from defensive backs coach Steve Clinksdale, it sounds like the duo is close to seeing the field once again.

Michigan football injury update for duo of star players

Today, Steve Clinksdale provided the nation with a crucial Michigan football injury update for Rod Moore and Will Johnson. As all Michigan football fans likely know quite well, these two are some of the best defenders in the nation and will be crucial pieces for the Wolverines as they pursue a national title later this fall.

“Yeah, they’re getting closer and closer (to playing) every day,” Steve Clinkscale explained on Wednesday afternoon. “I kind of stay out of the training room with them, so when they’re out there on the field, I coach them. Yesterday, they were both at practice, so that was awesome. They’re getting closer and closer every day.”

More from Steve Clinksdale on Rod Moore and Will Johnson

Getting these two back will be huge for Michigan football when it eventually happens; however, despite a positive injury update from Clinksdale, he says there is no rush. If nothing else, Rod Moore and Will Johnson need to actually be ready to see the field before Michigan throws them back into the defensive rotation.

“The big thing with those guys and having the issues that they have is not to rush them back, to make sure they’re comfortable, especially when you’re a (defensive back), and you’re out on the island, you rush the guy back too fast, it can really set him back a little bit,” he continued. “So I think coach has done a great job, and our training staff has done a great job with bringing those guys back the way they need to be right on time. Not too fast, not too slow. So I’m excited about seeing them out there this year.”

More good news for Michigan football in regards to injuries

The good news for Michigan football is this — the Wolverines don’t really need Will Johnson or Rod Moore back just yet. Big Ten play is still a few weeks away, and rising stars like Makari Paige and Keon Sabb are making an impact for the Maize and Blue in their absence. So, there’s no rush for Moore and Johnson to recover and hit the field again, at least not yet.

“I think having Makari for a few plays last week made a big difference,” Steve Clinksdale concluded. “(he) helps some of those young guys kind of get their feet wet with an older guy, with a veteran out there on the field with a physical player on the field. And he kind of sets the tone. And then I let the rest of the guys play the rest of the game — so getting those guys closer and closer will help us get them a few plays here and there until they’re 100% ready.”

There is a chance that Rod Moore and Will Johnson hit the field this weekend against UNLV; however, Michigan football is not feeling the pressure of getting them back on the field until they are both 100%. The defensive backfield rests in good hands either way.

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