Michigan Football: Wolverines have depth to overcome key injuries
Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh revealed the serious nature of injuries to Donovan Peoples-Jones and others, but here is why UM can overcome them.
Injuries can be one of the worst things about sports and Wednesday, Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh spoke about two injuries that are more serious than previously known.
One of the players that hasn’t been seen at spring practice so far is wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones. Another is defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour and when Harbaugh spoke to the media Wednesday, he explained why.
Harbaugh indicated that both Peoples-Jones and Dwumfour had more serious injuries than we were previously aware. He said that both players were going to be out for the entire spring and it has caused rampant speculation that both could be out for the season.
Harbaugh says Dwumfour had a torn plantar fascia before the bowl game. Peoples-Jones had a soft tissue injury. He's concerned about both, but hoping for the best.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) April 3, 2019
According to Nick Baumgardner of the Detroit Free Press, People-Jones and Dwumfour have been out all winter too but neither injury will require surgery. Harbaugh also said that Nico Collins is still out along with Christian Turner, although Collins rehab is going well.
Donovan Peoples-Jones and Michael Dwumfour have been out this spring and winter. Harbaugh says both injuries are more serious than originally thought.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) April 3, 2019
Nico Collins had surgery before spring, is rehabbing well.
The biggest concern though is for Peoples-Jones, who led the Wolverines in receptions with 47 and touchdowns with eight last season. He and Collins are both set to return as starters and it is concerning that neither has been able to take part in spring workouts.
However, even if the worst-case scenario proves to be true for Michigan football and Peoples-Jones has to miss the season, the Wolverines are fortunate to have the depth to replace him.
When it comes to depth, few positions if any have more than wide receiver. Not only is Collins ready to take the mantle of No. 1 wide receiver, but Tarik Black also has that ability too if he can stay healthy, which he has this spring.
Additionally, freshman wide receiver Mike Sainristil has also impressed during spring practices and Michigan football also brings back both Oliver Martin and Ronnie Bell, not to mention incoming freshmen Cornelius Johnson and Giles Jackson.
At defensive tackle, there is less depth but the move of Ben Mason to defensive line will help. He has played both end and tackle and is stout enough to handle snaps inside. Donovan Jeter has also emerged as a starting-caliber player.
Freshmen Mazi Smith and Chris Hinton should also be able to make immediate contributions. Smith enrolled early and has been solid during spring ball, working his way onto the two-deep. Hinton should be able to do the same this fall. Dwumfour did also say on Twitter he could be back soon meaning he could be ready for fall camp.
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The truth is that injuries are part of football and overcoming them is part of being a winning program. Obviously, you never want any players to get hurt, but when it comes to Peoples-Jones and Dwumfour, UM has the depth to overcome those injuries if needed.