Michigan football: 4 key things to watch for Wolverines against Army

Injured players

Football is a violent sport, and no team is ever going to be fully healthy. But Michigan football still suffered from some key absences against the Blue Raiders.

Runyan’s absence was already noted, but Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan’s leading pass-catcher from last season, spent the night with a boot on his right foot. Donovan Jeter also sat out last Saturday with undisclosed injuries, while fellow defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour played one series before leaving for good.

Harbaugh offered status updates on all of them during his Monday news conference, saying that Peoples-Jones, Runyan, and Jeter “all have a chance” to return to the field. On Wednesday, defensive line coach Shaun Nua amended this by saying that Jeter and Dwumfour were “ready to go.”

Peoples-Jones’ absence meant an increased opportunity for established starters Black and Collins, but also upstarts like Cornelius Johnson and Ronnie Bell. Converted fullback Ben Mason, meanwhile, switched over — apparently full-time — to defensive tackle in the offseason, and filled Dwumfour and Jeter’s vacancy.

Either Michigan will be able to ease its recovering players back into action against an inferior opponent, or players like Johnson, Bell, Mason and Hayes will gain experience in their stead.