Will Johnson expects to return against Washington

SEATTLE – It appears to be two steps forward and two steps back for the health of Michigan football, as the Wolverines expect the return of some key players but will now be without three key starters, including two offensive linemen, in Week 6 against Washington.

All-American cornerback Will Johnson (questionable) and Edge Josaiah Stewart, the Week 4 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, both missed last week’s 27-24 win over Minnesota because of various ailments but are both expected to return Saturday (7:30 p.m., NBC). The pregame availability report submitted by teams in the conference was released a few hours before the No. 10 Wolverines (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) played the Huskies (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten).

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Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said Wednesday he was “excited to get these guys back.”

The Wolverines were short of a season-high 13 players last week, but Johnson, widely expected to be a top-five pick in next year’s NFL draft, is the most important player. Although he is listed as questionable, Johnson was on the field before the game and went through warmups. Even if Johnson can return — and that would be crucial considering he’s not only a lockdown corner but has also scored as many touchdowns this year as UM’s wide receivers combined — the secondary remains in the crisis.

Even though Stewart is back, UM has moved on from its other starting player, Derrick Moore. The 1.90 meter tall, 110 kilogram junior started the first five games and has ten tackles, one pass deflected and one half-sack.

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Moore said this week that nickel back Ja’Den McBurrows is out long-term. Additionally, two transfer defensive backs, Jaden Mangham (Michigan State) and Aamir Hall (Albany), were ruled out for Saturday’s game; It will be the fifth straight game Mangham will miss and the first absence for Hall, who filled in for Johnson last week. Wesley Walker (transfer from Tennessee) is questionable.

On offense, left tackle Myles Hinton and center Dom Guidice both suffered injuries against the Gophers and were ruled out against the Huskies.

“They’re just working on a few little things,” Moore said of the big men earlier this week. “Both of these guys are really tough guys that play through stuff. That’s part of the line of play at Michigan. You’ll be broken, but both of these guys will be good.”

Fifth-year senior Jeff Persi came in last week and did an admirable job replacing Hinton at left guard, and he appears to be the first option. At center, Greg Crippen (questionable last week) is a more than viable backup with experience and enough seniority to cope in a street environment.

Receiver Semaj Morgan, who missed last week’s contest, is expected to play. This is the first time quarterback Alex Orji will start with the expected top-three passing options – Colston Loveland, Tyler Morris and Morgan – all healthy.

Morgan is second on the team with 12 catches and third with 62 yards.

Michigan will also be without reserve running backs Jordan Marshall and Leon Franklin.

Will Johnson expects to return against Washington

ByJasper

By Jasper

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