ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan football has finished its nonconference schedule and starts Big Ten play next week, but it didn’t emerge from the Week 3 drubbing of UConn unscathed.
The Wolverines were already missing a handful of players. Linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green dressed for the second straight week, but didn’t play. Offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart was in street clothes as was running back Donovan Edwards. Two more injuries on Saturday could affect the maize and blue moving forward.
Perhaps the most notable is Cade McNamara, last year’s starting quarterback who is the current backup. He left the game after attempting and completing one pass in the second quarter. Head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed McNamara was injured in the game.
“Yeah, Cade — unfortunately, yes, I think his foot was caught in the ground and he got hit from the side of the leg and is probably going to be out for a few weeks,” Harbaugh said. “Not going to be a season-ending thing, I don’t think, but he’ll miss some time.”
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That shortens the injury leash for new starter J.J. McCarthy. Should anything happen to the former five-star, the Wolverines will have to resort to a player who has never started a game — though, thanks to the nonconference play, whoever does play will have some experience.
Harbaugh said McCarthy’s backup will emerge from competition in practice. He named Davis Warren, Alan Bowman and Alex Orji as potential replacements for McNamara.
Left guard Trevor Keegan also left the game and returned to the sideline in street clothes. It’s the second week in a row Keegan had some kind of injury, though he returned in the Hawaii game after a brief stint on the sidelines.
Harbaugh didn’t have an update on Keegan’s status, but he doesn’t anticipate it being anything serious.
“I don’t know. We’ll find out after the game,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t think anything long term.”
While Harbaugh didn’t update Hill-Green or Barnhart’s status after the game — though he was asked — he reflected on Edwards’ status, saying he very well could play this week against Maryland, but he’s reluctant to call it a sure thing.
“Donovan, we’ll see,” Harbaugh said. “Whether his status will be questionable or probable for next week, one of the two. Call it questionable to be on the safe side. He’s doing good. He’s feeling better.
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