The Michigan Wolverines were a bit shorthanded on the road at Oklahoma this past weekend. They were without guys like Rod Moore, Marlin Klein and Shamari Earls heading into the game. Then, during the game, left guard Giovanni El-Hadi was left right before halftime after having his ankle get rolled up on. Cornerback Zeke Berry also suffered an injury and briefly exited before returning later on, as did wide receiver Semaj Morgan.
Speaking with the media on Monday, head coach Sherrone Moore provided
injury updates heading into the Week 3 game at home vs. Central Michigan.
CB Zeke Berry
After leaving the game against Oklahoma with what appeared to be a lower-body injury, Moore confirmed that Berry suffered a “very mild lower-body injury” and that he was jumping around on the sideline in the second half.
“That’s more precautionary to make sure nothing was wrong,” Moore said. “He looks good.”
My take: Overall, it sounds like Berry is fine and will be good to go moving forward.
OL Giovanni El-Hadi
El-Hadi left the Oklahoma game right before halftime with a lower-body injury of his own. Moore said El-Hadi is considered “day-to-day” and they will see how he feels throughout the week before making a decision on him for the Central Michigan game this weekend. We even got hit with the dreaded “we’ll see” from Moore.
My take: First of all, this is very encouraging news considering how bad the injury looked. He got rolled up on while blocking an Oklahoma defender, so those typically lead to a longer recovery time than what Moore made it sound like. I wouldn’t be surprised to see El-Hadi sit this game out before attempting to play at Nebraska the following week.
TE Marlin Klein
Klein was listed as questionable on the injury report ahead of the Oklahoma game, but the coaching staff elected to sit him due to his injury. He was seen with a hefty wrap on his ankle in pregame warmups, so it wasn’t shocking to see him miss the game.
Thankfully, much like Berry, it also sounds like Klein is gearing up to play this weekend against the Chippewas. Moore noted that Klein is “looking better, so we’ll see what he can do this week.” Moore believes he will practice “a little bit” Tuesday and Wednesday, and then they’ll go from there and see how he’s doing.
My take: Klein was sorely missed last week against the Sooners, so hopefully he is able to return to action this weekend and knock off some rust before being a pivotal part of the game plan at Nebraska.
S Rod Moore
Michigan’s fifth-year senior safety was also deemed questionable for Oklahoma, but did not play in the game. When asked about him, Sherrone Moore said there is a “good chance” and a “high probability” that Rod Moore plays this weekend against CMU. Rod wanted to play against the Sooners, Sherrone noted, but the coaching staff has been “very cautious with him” and having him come back last weekend didn’t fit their timeline for a return.
My take: I’m a little surprised to hear that Rod Moore might suit up and play this weekend. With an inferior opponent coming to town, I figured Moore would sit out one more game before returning next weekend at Nebraska. However, it sounds like Moore is ready to go and will play this weekend at the Big House.
