Will Johnson injury update: Is the Michigan Wolverines CB playing on Saturday against Ohio State

Michigan cornerback Will Johnson is expected to be the top defensive back prospect in the 2025 NFL draft. He is one of the best assets that Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore has had in his arsenal in the 2024 college football season.

While Johnson nurses his toe injury, fans wonder whether the CB can provide his services for the Michigan Wolverines (6-5, 4-4, Big Ten) in their most important game of the season.

Will Johnson injury update

The 21-year-old CB is not expected to play in Saturday’s showdown against the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1, 7-1, Big Ten). Johnson has seen him sidelined since Oct. 19 due to a toe injury sustained in the loss to Illinois in Week 8.

His absence will leave a gap in Michigan’s secondary. The loss of Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 202-pound All-American, is a blow for the Wolverines as they prepare to face one of the most potent offenses in college football.

Johnson has been a dominating presence for Michigan this season. He had two pick-sixes to his name before injury. He can read games and shut down receivers, allowing Michigan to employ defensive coverages.

Giving an update on Johnson on Monday, Moore said:

“Yeah, we’ll see. I think Colston (Loveland) is trying to get in a good direction. We’ll get a better feel in the next couple of days. The same thing with Will. So we’ll see.”

Moore will rely on Jyaire Hill, Aamir Hall and Zeke Berry to step up against Ryan Day and his explosive OSU passing attack, which features Emeka Egbuka and star freshman Jeremiah Smith.

Michigan will aim to stop the Buckeyes’ No. 2-ranked passing efficiency offense, but Johnson’s absence will make that difficult. The game will kick off at noon at Ohio Stadium in Columbus and air nationally on Fox.

Another thing that comes with Will Johnson's injury apart from him not featuring against the Buckeyes is that it could be his last game in the Maize and Blue jersey.

He was the 2023 Defensive MVP of Michigan’s national title win last year under coach Jim Harbaugh. If he opts out of Michigan’s bowl game, his college career will conclude with 32 appearances, 22 starts and four interceptions last season alone.