The Michigan Wolverines got a much-needed win on Saturday over Washington, 24-7. Unfortunately, it came with a price, as starting left tackle Evan Link went down in the first quarter with a non-contact injury and was carted off the field. He never returned to the game.
Speaking to the media on Monday morning, head coach Sherrone Moore provided an encouraging injury update on Link, as it sounds like he will be able to return to action at some point in 2025.
“Wasn’t as bad as we thought,” Moore said.
“I think we’ll have him back sooner than later, so we’ll see. We’ll just take it week by week.”
In the meantime, redshirt freshman Blake Frazier will be Michigan’s starting left tackle moving forward, with Brady Norton serving as his backup, Moore confirmed on Monday. Frazier played admirably in relief of Link on Saturday vs. Washington, posting the best PFF pass-blocking grade on the team (72.0) and an overall grade of 66.3 in 60 snaps. He did not allow a single quarterback pressure on 26 opportunities, per PFF.
“Really proud of (Frazier),” Moore said. “Really proud of the player he’s become and having those extra O-lineman reps are huge. We’ve really done that in the past year to get young guys time to play or getting another guy that we feel that could be a starter or a guy that is going to play extra reps. You’ve seen the progression — he came in at like 255 or something like that, 245. About 300 now. Having a guy like that ready to go is huge, and played well. Got some things to fix, as we all do, but definitely stepped up in a time we needed it.”
Other injured players trending in the right direction
A few others didn’t suit up this past Saturday, including Justice Haynes, Hogan Hansen, Rod Moore and Brandyn Hillman. Defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny also exited the game due to injury.
Sherrone Moore expects Haynes, Rod Moore and Brandyn Hillman to practice this week. Hopefully that is a sign of things to come for their statuses this weekend. Meanwhile, Benny is “doing okay” and that they’ll know in the middle of the week whether or not he will be available against the Spartans. Linebacker Ernest Hausmann also left the Washington game due to injury, but Moore confirmed he is fine.
