Michigan Football Injury Updates Heading Into Big Ten Title

The Michigan Wolverines (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) are fresh off an impressive 30-24 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten), which will send Jim Harbaugh and his team to Indianapolis to compete for the Big Ten title for the third year in a row. Heading into the game, there were injury concerns with quarterback JJ McCarthy, and after the game, Michigan football injury attention shifted to Will Johnson. Ahead of this weekend’s conference title bout, which may send Michigan to the College Football Playoff for the third year in a row, Sherrone Moore provided injury status updates for both Johnson and McCarthy.

Michigan football injury news heading into Big Ten title game

Beating Iowa (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) will be no small task for Michigan football, which heads into conference title weekend with a perfect 12-0 record for the second season in a row. Still, following the Ohio State win, it’s clear that the Wolverines should be able to get the job done, especially since Iowa is coming off of yet another narrow victory over a poor opponent.

Will Johnson

After the game, Sherrone Moore said that he expects Will Johnson to be alright; however, today, Sherrone Moore said that the injury status of the Michigan cornerback remains unknown.

So, for the time being, the best we’re going get on Will Johnson is a “nothing yet” from Moore.

No word on Will Johnson’s status yet, Sherrone Moore says pic.twitter.com/3iCYkz48jX

— CJ Mangum (@cjmangum_) November 27, 2023

JJ McCarthy

Moore was also asked about Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy, who appeared to be hurt heading into the Ohio State game. Over the weekend, McCarthy didn’t look hurt or play scared, and Moore confirmed that he is looking and feeling great heading into Big Ten title weekend.

“Yeah, I think (JJ McCarthy) is better,” Sherrone Moore said today. “I think he showed that when he took off and ran down the sideline (against Ohio State). So he’s doing good.”

Sherrone Moore says JJ McCarthy is better now after getting banged up earlier this year.

“He’s doing good” pic.twitter.com/qO8yWeodf7

— CJ Mangum (@cjmangum_) November 27, 2023

Who will fill in for Zak Zinter at guard?

Michigan football will also be without Zak Zinter, who suffered a crushing injury against the Buckeyes and had immediate surgery on Saturday night. In Zinter’s place against Iowa will be Karsen Barnhart, who will move from tackle to guard — fifth-year offensive lineman Trente Jones will be filling in for Barnhart at tackle, Moore says.

Sherrone Moore says that the O-line is deep and everyone practices to be prepared to start.

He also thinks that Karsen Barnhart will be staying at guard and Trente Jones will be starting at tackle.

— CJ Mangum (@cjmangum_) November 27, 2023

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