The No. 22 Illinois Fighting Illini (5-1, 2-1, Big Ten) get ready to host the No. 24 Michigan Wolverines (4-2, 2-1, Big Ten) at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Both teams face injury challenges that could impact the outcome.
Illinois enters the matchup fresh off a thrilling 50-49 win against Purdue, where Josh McCray stepped in for injured star running back - Kaden Feagin. Meanwhile, Michigan is looking to bounce back after a narrow defeat to Washington two weeks ago.
Here’s a breakdown of the injury report ahead of the Week 8 football showdown.
Illinois Football injury report
Illinois faces some crucial injury concerns ahead of their week 8 showdown against Michigan, which could impact their offense and defense. The Fighting Illini coach Bret Bielema provided team updates during his Thursday press conference.
With Illinois riding high after a narrow overtime victory against Purdue, they’ll have to power through the game without one of their top offensive playmakers while hoping for the return of a key defensive starter.
Here’s a look at the Illini injury report heading into Saturday.
Kaden Feagin
Illinois will come without their leading rusher, Kaden Feagin, for the second consecutive week as he recovers from a leg injury. According to reports, Feagin consulted specialists, indicating the injury might be more severe than initially hoped. The running back, who has rushed for 306 yards and three touchdowns so far this season, sat out last week’s 50-49 overtime victory over Purdue. In his absence, Josh McCray is expected to fill in for Feagin again this week after following his exploits in the Purdue victory.
Xavier Scott
Defensive back Xavier Scott, who exited last week’s game against Purdue in the first quarter, is expected to return against Michigan, a crucial boost to the Illini defense. Scott’s ability to play in pass coverage and against the run makes him a vital part of Illinois’ defensive unit.
Aidan Laughery
Running Back Aidan Laughery, who was in action last week in the backfield with nine touches, is listed as fully healthy ahead of the Michigan game, which should provide some depth to Illinois’ running back rotation as Feagin remains sidelined.
Michigan Football injury report
Conversely, Michigan heads into their Week 8 matchup against Illinois with several key players returning from injuries. After a tough loss to Washington two weeks ago, the Wolverines were without multiple starters. While some key contributors are expected to return, others remain questionable in a critical Big Ten game.
Myles Hinton
Offensive linesman Myles Hinton missed Michigan’s previous game against Washington with an undisclosed injury, but is likely to return in Week 8. Hinton’s return would significantly boost Michigan’s offensive line, especially in a matchup against Illinois’ strong defensive front.
Derrick Moore
Defensive lineman Derrick Moore, another crucial player absent in the Washington game due to an undisclosed injury, is also progressing well. Moore didn’t play two weeks ago but could make his return against Illinois, adding much-needed depth to the Wolverines’ defensive front.
Dom Giudice
Dom Giudice is in a similar situation as Derrick Moore, having missed the game against Washington. Greg Crippen has since filled his shoes at the center. No official decision has been made regarding his availability for Saturday’s matchup.
Ja’Den McBurrows
Ja’Den McBurrows has been ruled out for the foreseeable future due to an undisclosed injury. McBurrows also missed the Washington game and is not expected to return soon, dealing a blow to the Wolverines’ defensive backfield.
Rod Moore
Rod Moore is still recovering from his ACL injury, and while he continues progressing, his return timeline remains uncertain. However, the possibility of being ruled out is not yet confirmed.
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