Michigan Injury Report for Indiana Comment Count

Tim

Via UM Media Relations:

OUT (0% PLAY)

Jones, Mike                        Leg

Shaw, Michael                   Knee

Toussaint, Fitzgerald       Shoulder

Van Slyke, Jared               Clavicle

Williams, Mike                   Head

Woolfolk, Troy                  Ankle

 

QUESTIONABLE (50% PLAY)

Ferrara, John                     Hand

 

PROBABLE (75% PLAY)

Herron, Brandon              Ankle

Johnson, Carvin                Knee

Robinson, Denard            Knee

As for the gentlemen who are out, we already know Jones, Van Slyke, and Woolfolk are out for the whole year, and Mike Williams may have serious enough concussion issues to be at the end of his football career. Shaw being ruled completely out for the game is a huge setback, and though we don't have tons of information on Toussaint, the coaches certainly would have liked to have him available.

Ferrara is updated to questionable after spending the past few weeks inactive, which is good for him, but he's still down on the depth chart and unlikely to play.

As for the "Probable" contingent, Rodriguez (and OC Calvin Magee) have been saying all week that Shoelace hasn't missed practice all week, and is 100% outside of a bit of soreness. If Herron and/or Johnson can indeed play, that's a boost for the defense, giving Greg Robinson the flexibility with Craig Roh that he really likes.

Comments

ndjames86

October 1st, 2010 at 10:49 AM ^

see Shaw ruled completely out. Hopefully he makes a quick recovery bc IMO he's out best back right now. I like his type of running, he seems to be very physical with enough speed to really make a difference.

mwburner26

October 1st, 2010 at 9:31 AM ^

Looks like I didn't miss anything, C. Johnson is back on time, like expected. Im still trying to figure out why some thought he wouldn't be back till the end of Oct.

LudaChristian

October 1st, 2010 at 9:34 AM ^

Fitz Toussaint just can't seem to stay free of the injury bug, can he?  Hope that's not his legacy going forward.... I'd like to see more big runs out of him like the one from the BG game (even though he got caught from behind).

jmscher

October 1st, 2010 at 9:36 AM ^

I though his injury was supposed to heal in 6-8 weeks.  I know these things arent exact or anything but is there a chance he could be back for wiscosin or osu?  Or anything behind that be it next year or a game this year after osu?

erik_t

October 1st, 2010 at 9:54 AM ^

How do we appropriately and tastefully incorporate Mike Williams into the AMSHG picturechart? Perennial concussions are not something of which to make fun, but neither is Troy's traitorous ankle.

 

I hope that Mike stays healthy, happy and cerebrally alright wherever life takes him.

jlcoleman71

October 1st, 2010 at 9:55 AM ^

stay on your block and the running game will be just fine this week...........if the IU defense couldn't stop the running game in their games so far, even our backups will be able to put up solid yardage.

Six Zero

October 1st, 2010 at 10:19 AM ^

But it still isn't fun to see DILITHIUM on the injury report.



On the other hand, Carvin Johnson, hopefully a little angry for missing out on the fun, could be fun to watch.  Here's to #13 making a few crimson and cream players a little more black and blue on Saturday.

JayZ1817

October 1st, 2010 at 11:33 AM ^

Why's it seem everyone forgets about Vincent Smith? Sure he's coming off that torn acl in his knee and he's not explosive as he was last year but he has been a lot more effective this year than I thought he would be with that knee. He won't do it alone obviously, Cox and Hopkins will get their share but Smith should be able to have a career day tomorrow against that Indiana defense.

ironman4579

October 1st, 2010 at 11:51 AM ^

I'm really not sure why Shaw being out is a "huge setback" or why anyone is overly concerned about it at all actually.  Yes, he's a good receiver, and an OK blocker.  and yes he has ZOMGZ SPEEEEDZZZ!!1!11!  But for his career, in 14 games against actual BCS conference opponents, he's averaging 3.3 YPC (71 carries for 235 yards) with 1 TD.  Against non BCS conference opponents?  7.2 YPC (57 carries for 410 yards) with 6 TD's.  Shaw shows up huge against cupcakes and makes some people think he's actually getting it.  But he's just really not a very good Big 10 RB at this point. 

Could he have taken an Armando Allen like leap as a junior?  Sure, but the 3.2 against UConn, and 2.4 against ND kind of say otherwise. 

I for one, am extremely excited and happy that we'll hopefully get an extended look at Hopkins and Cox against BCS level competition (although Indiana's run defense probably only marginally deserves that title), because finding a RB that can actually present a threat in Big 10 play and allow Denard even more room is a must.

Woodson2

October 1st, 2010 at 2:49 PM ^

The numbers may not indicate a huge improvement this year but just watching him on the field I see a player really starting to get it. Shaw is a big time home run threat with that speed. Now that he is also running with power he really has impressed me. Add to that his blocking skills and receiving skills and that is why I think people here are a little concerned about this.  He may not have had a huge game yet but his skills are impressive and I think he will get better with more touches.

The numbers for the year aren't really a good indicator of what he might be capable of once the coaches gain more confidence in him. He had 20 rushes total this year against Notre Dame and UConn so that isn't a large sample size for a runner with his type of explosiveness. He is a home run threat so all that it takes is one run where he breaks free and that ups the yards per carry significantly. I've noticed more than a few times he was barely tripped up and could have broken a few long ones. Sure you could throw in last year's numbers but I see a different player at this stage of development. 

I admit I'm a little biased because I'm a fan of his. Love his running style and receiving ability. He reminds me of a young Roger Craig with that high leg running style he has.

ironman4579

October 1st, 2010 at 3:52 PM ^

Unfortunately, that was Carlos Brown's problem.  A bunch of runs that "could have" gone the distance, except he got tripped up because he couldn't break a tackle against decent competition.  Yes, Shaw runs hard against EMU. DSU, UMass, and BGSU.  But he wasn't breaking many tackles against UConn or ND, and he hasn't yet in his career.

As I said, he could have had an Armando Allen type junior breakthrough, but (in a granted limited sample size) it doesn't look like it yet.  I'd also point out that plenty of guys only average 10-15 carries a game and still put up 4.5+ YPC. 

Lastly, maybe it's just personal preference on my part, but I'd prefer a back that can get me 5, 7, 5, 4, 10, 9, 6 than a guy that's going to get me 2, 1, 3, -1, 3, 2, 60.  Yes, the second guy ends up with more yards, but the first guy is more likely to move the chains and get his yardage regardless.  The second guy has the potential to go 60, but if he doesn't, he's not doing anything, and most guys aren't breaking a 60 yards run each and every week.

bleedzblue

October 1st, 2010 at 10:56 PM ^

Is Fitz ever going to be fully healthy? This is starting to get a little ridiculous, the kid has a ton of talent if he can get on the field and stay on the field. Here's hoping for a FULL speedy recovery.