After missing some time earlier in the season, Michigan football seemed set to go with Will Johnson in an inflection game at Illinois last week, however, before the first half was over, Johnson was on the sideline, essentially begging to come back in after sustaining what appears to be a minor injury.
With rival MSU coming up on Saturday, the Wolverines hope to be able to be at full strength in the defensive backfield, especially since the Spartans like passing the ball with dynamic, but mistake-prone, quarterback Aidan Chiles.
On Wednesday, Michigan defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan was optimistic that Johnson could return this week, but he’s preparing for either outcome.
“Will Johnson, yesterday, two days ago, we have on Monday things that — we did some things where he did last week,” Morgan said. “Some of our guys are modified throughout the week. There’s different things that they’re doing. I think right now Will Johnson is just working through — be his best all the time when he gets on the field. I think we have done a good job. I think he has done a great job.
“So right now, Will is — the game’s not played today. There’s a lot of guys that maybe didn’t go full speed all the way until Wednesday and Thursday and had a heckuva game on Saturday. So that’s kind of what Will’s doing right now, just trying to get his mind right. He’s always in the game plan, in the front row, challenging guys, coaching every day. So that’s kind of what Will’s doing right now. We’re excited about Will. I know when he gets on the field, he’ll go 100%.”
In the early offseason, Michigan’s defensive backfield looked mostly formidable, with Johnson and Rod Moore both slated to be among the best at their positions entering 2024. However, Moore tore his ACL in spring ball and Johnson has missed stretches and has, at times, not quite looked like himself as he’s worked his way through injuries.
Morgan says it affects much of the preparation, to lose the high-caliber players so suddenly. But what he’s liked is Johnson’s leadership, and he hopes that he’ll be able to be a field general, not a sideline one, come Saturday.
“A lot of these experienced players that’s been playing since the last two and three years, I think whenever they’re not on the field, you lose the aspect of a coach,” Morgan said. “You lose the aspect of a guy that’s experienced, a guy that can say one or two things to try to keep, the guys when they’re on the field engaged. I think his leadership and all that. I think any team in the country is better with Will Johnson on the field. I would definitely agree with that. I think that’s easy to say. Yes, sir.”