Already, the passing situation appears to be in better shape for Michigan football than it was last week.
That’s because star tight end Colston Loveland has been taken off of the availability report teams are required to provide to the Big Ten Conference two hours prior to kickoff, which implies he will attempt to play in Saturday’s battle for the Little Brown Jug against Minnesota (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) at noon from Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.
Of course, Loveland missed last week’s top-15 matchup and 27-24 upset victory over USC, and though U-M survived the contest, the passing game was sorely lacking without his presence. Quarterback Alex Orji, making his first career start, completed just 7 of 12 passes for 32 yards, the fewest in a Michigan victory since former coach Bo Schembechler walked the sidelines in 1987.
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Despite missing a contest, Loveland remains the Wolverines‘ leading receiver through four weeks with 19 receptions for 187 yards and touchdown. The junior appeared to injury his upper body in the second quarter of the Week 3 contest vs. Arkansas State and though he returned in the third quarter and caught a pass, he immediately left the game following the reception and did not return again.
Head coach Sherrone Moore earlier this week said Loveland was “doing much better” than at the same time the week prior and implied it was going to be a game-time decision for U-M’s top target. With Loveland back in action, the job figures be a bit easier for Orji who had more rushing yards (43) than passing yards (32) in his first career appearance.
Michigan’s secondary has also been thinned out for this game. Michigan will be without safety Jaden Mangham for the fourth consecutive game, as well as transfer safety Wesley Walker (Tennessee), nickelback Ja’Den Mangham and of course the secondary’s potentially season-changing injury from earlier this spring, senior safety Rod Moore (torn ACL) who remains out indefinitely.
Defensive back Micah Pollard, running back Jordan Marshall, linebacker Jason Hewlett, running back Leon Franklin and running back Bryson Kuzdal are also all listed as ‘Out’ for Saturday’s game.
Perhaps equally as concerning, All-American cornerback Will Johnson has been listed as questionable for the battle for the Little Brown Jug. Johnson left Saturday’s game vs. USC with a slight shoulder injury, but said he could have returned to the game if need be and was available for media earlier in the week; generally a tell-tale sign in Michigan’s program the player will be available.
He’s not the only key player who appears to be a game-time decision. Josaiah Stewart, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, as well as wide receiver Semaj Morgan (second on team in receptions and yards) and rotational center Greg Crippen, are all listed as questionable.
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Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X @RealTonyGarcia.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan’s Colston Loveland available vs Minn, Will Johnson questionable
