It appears Michigan will be without its star cornerback against Ohio State.
Michigan cornerback Will Johnson is expected to miss Saturday’s game against Ohio State due to the toe injury that has sidelined him for the Wolverines’ last four games, according to multiple reports.
Sources: Michigan All-American cornerback Will Johnson is not expected to play against Ohio State on Saturday. Hes been battling a toe injury that he suffered on Oct. 19 against Illinois. pic.twitter.com/oqod46xMRf
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 29, 2024
Michigan is expected to be without star cornerback Will Johnson vs. Ohio State, a source tells @CBSSports/@247Sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) November 29, 2024
Sherrone Moore had said well see earlier in the week re: Johnson, who has been out since early October due to a toe injury.https://t.co/ly2NQ7Y5mp pic.twitter.com/y2hUQ9VNTB
Johnson, who was considered by many to be the best cornerback in college football entering the 2024 season, has played in only six games this season due to injury. The Wolverines’ secondary hasn’t been the same without him, ranking 72nd in passing yards allowed per game (222.3) and tied for 39th in yards allowed per passing attempt (6.6).
An All-American in 2023, Johnson made a key interception in the first quarter of last year’s edition of The Game that set up the Wolverines‘ first touchdown in their eventual 30-24 win over Ohio State.
With Johnson sidelined, Aamir Hall and Zeke Berry served as Michigan’s starting cornerbacks last week vs. Northwestern. Jyaire Hill, who has started nine games at cornerback this season, is also an option to start in Johnson’s absence.
Regardless of who starts in Johnson’s place, Emeka Egbuka says the Buckeyes will take them just as seriously as they would have taken Johnson even though the Wolverines will undoubtedly miss their star cornerback in The Game.
“He's a great player. Understanding that he might not play, I think that would hurt every team in the country because of how talented he is. But they're a Power 5 program. They're one of the best programs in the entire nation. It's not like they don't have depth,” Egbuka said. “So we expect them to be a battle through and through. So whoever they bring out there on the field, we're going to treat (them as) a nameless, faceless opponent. So we expect them to execute and do a job.”
Given that Johnson is a projected top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, it’s likely Johnson has now played his final game for the Wolverines as their only remaining game after the Ohio State game will be a non-playoff bowl game.
Johnson is one of two Michigan stars whose status has been in question for this week’s game along with tight end Colston Loveland, the Wolverines’ leading receiver, who left last week’s game against Northwestern with a shoulder injury. His status for The Game has not yet been confirmed, but Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said Monday that Loveland was “trending in a good direction.”
