Michigan Football: Jim Harbaugh offers updates on J.J. McCarthy, Ronnie Bell
Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh offered updates on Thursday about the status and injuries to J.J. McCarthy and Ronnie Bell.
One of the biggest topics of conversation surrounding the Michigan football program heading into the offseason is the health of former five-star quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy was and is expected to push last year’s starting quarterback Cade McNamara for the job, yet he was limited during the spring because of a shoulder injury. Essentially, the Wolverines put a plan in place to rest the shoulder, which was smart for the long-term.
Of course, McCarthy could have used those reps in spring practice and it may have hurt his chances of winning the starting job next season, but on the “In The Trenches” podcast with Jon Jansen, Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh said McCarthy can throw again on Monday.
"Even though he wasn't throwing, it was still the same J.J. — bringing all the energy, all the competitive fire, all the leadership. Like a kid in the candy store — that's the best way to phrase what he's like. There are certain guys that are like that, and he's one of them.
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) April 14, 2022
Harbaugh also gushed about McCarty’s work ethic and his attitude throughout the spring, even though his participation was limited. McCarthy loves this Michigan football program and whether it’s the 2022 season or 2023, he will eventually be the starter.
And even if he doesn’t start next season, he’s going to play an important role in the success of the Wolverines in 2022, so it’s a good sign he’s throwing again next week.
Ronnie Bell making progress
Another important question for Michigan football is the health of Ronnie Bell who was the team’s leading receiver in 2019 and 2020 but was injured last season in the first game against Western Michigan.
Bell wasn’t back yet for spring practices and watched the game on the sidelines in street clothes. However, his knee has been improving, and here’s what Harbaugh said on Thursday.
Jim Harbaugh on Ronnie Bell on the In The Trenches podcast: "He's more like weeks away from being full speed. He's running, he's starting to cut, he's doing cutting. He's real close. He's almost doing everything that everybody else is doing. The rehab has been fabulous."
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) April 14, 2022
So it sounds like when Michigan football hits the field this fall, both Bell and McCarthy will be 100 percent and that’s certainly music to my ears.
Next. Projected post-spring Michigan football depth chart. dark