Michigan cornerback Will Johnson missed the Wolverines' comprehensive 50-6 blowout of the Northwestern Wildcats in Week 13 of college football action on Saturday. Johnson has been missing with a turf toe injury since the first quarter of the 21-7 loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini in Week 9 of college football action.
During his weekly news conference ahead of the rivalry clash against the Ohio State Buckeyes next Saturday, first-year Michigan coach Sherrone Moore shared an optimistic update on both Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland despite contrary reports by ESPN earlier in the week.
“Yeah. I just go by what the doctors say,” Moore said. “I can’t confirm or say anything else but what the doctors tell us. We’ll see. think Colston is trending in a good direction. We’ll get a better feel in the next couple days. The same thing with Will. We’ll see.”
Will Johnson has been key for Michigan
Will Johnson has missed close to six games this season with his turf toe injury but he has been key to the few good moments that the Michigan Wolverines have had this season. Johnson has tallied three passes deflected, 14 tackles with one for loss, three pass breakups and two highly memorable pick-sixes earlier in the season.
In coverage, the influential cornerback has only allowed 195 yards on 16 completions resulting in zero touchdowns this season while he has not allowed a touchdown against him since the 2022 season. He has a nine to two interceptions to touchdowns ratio in his career showing his effectiveness that the Wolverines have been missing.
In his absence, Aamir Hall and Jyaire Hill have stepped into the breach, although the latter only played nine snaps against the Wildcats and was stripped of his usual No. 20 jersey in favor of a No. 35 jersey.
During his weekly news conference, coach Sherrone Moore revealed that the issue with Jyaire Hill was being sorted internally, suggesting a disciplinary action against the cornerback meant to cover for Will Johnson.
"You know, we'll see," Moore said. "We'll see what happens in practice. I thought Amir Hall stepped up in a big way this game. But look for Jyaire to jump back and do the same thing. So we'll see how this week progresses."
The Michigan Wolverines have won three straight clashes against eternal rivals, the Ohio State Buckeyes but with the season that they're having, they are three-touchdown underdogs going into the game and the injury status of Will Johnson would go a long way to giving Michigan fans confidence in the game.
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