Kyle Whittingham was fortunate to get out of his first fall camp with Michigan with limited injuries before heading into the 2026 season. Only one player suffered an injury that will keep him out for the season, and many are actually returning from injuries suffered last season.
The Wolverines open the season tonight against Western Michigan in Whittingham's first game in The Big House as Michigan's newest head coach. His squad will be close to full strength, with some key pieces returning to the field and helping the Wolverines to hopefully a blowout win in Week 1.
LT Andrew Babalola (out)
Andrew Babalola is coming back from an ACL tear at the end of fall camp in 2025, and 2026 fall camp was going well for the young offensive lineman before a minor setback. Babalola has been out of practices for a little while now and will not be available for Michigan's game against the Broncos. Whittingham was optimistic that the former five-star can return soon.
Replacement: Nate Frazier was in the position battle for left tackle against Babalola, so he should get the nod as the starter today. Whittingham said the offensive line has been determined for a couple of weeks now, and I would venture to say Babalola's injury helped with the decision to make Frazier the starter.
S Rod Moore (available)
After suffering a torn ACL and meniscus in 2024, Rod Moore worked to come back for the 2025 season, but continued to have issues with his knee. Moore only played in three games in 2025 before shutting it down for the season with significant pain in his knee, opting to undergo minor cleanup surgery in January.
Moore came to fall camp 100% healthy, but the coaching staff still took the cautious route, limiting him for the first couple of weeks. As camp came to a close, Moore was practicing fully and will be good to go for the season.
DE John Henry Daley (available)
Like Moore, John Henry Daley came into fall camp recovering from an injury after tearing his Achilles tendon in vs. Kansas State in November when he was with Utah. After missing spring ball, Daley was also 100% healthy coming into camp, but coaches took the same route with him as they did with Moore.
Daley also worked his way up to practicing fully by the end of fall camp and even had a lot of buzz around him tearing it up on the edge of the defensive line.
DL Dominic Nichols (available)
Whittingham never really specified what Dominic Nichols was dealing with in fall camp, but the standout defensive lineman should be good to go against Western Michigan. After receiving a lot of buzz in fall camp, Nichols should win the starting role for the Wolverines.
OL Ace Hamilton (out for season)
Ace Hamilton was the only big injury for Michigan coming out of fall camp, dealing with a lower-leg injury that will keep him out for the entire 2026 season. Hamilton is a freshman for the Wolverines and wasn't looking to take any starting roles, but to work more as depth on the offensive line.
Add us as a preferred source on Google