Michigan could be without its best offensive weapon against Ohio State.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Friday that there’s “increasing pessimism” around the status of star tight end Colston Loveland, who was reportedly limited in practice all week after leaving last week’s game against Northwestern with a shoulder injury.
Sources: There's increasing pessimism about the availability of Michigan TE Colston Loveland for the game at No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday. He did not play in the second half of the Northwestern game with an undisclosed injury and has been limited all week in practice. pic.twitter.com/1z4xZKaKSo
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 29, 2024
If Loveland is sidelined, Michigan will be without two of its biggest stars as cornerback Will Johnson is also not expected to play in The Game due to a toe injury he suffered in October.
Loveland has been one of the best tight ends in all of college football this season, catching 56 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games. He was named this week as one of three finalists for the John Mackey Award, along with Penn State tight end Tyler Warren and Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr.
The loss of Loveland is one Michigan can ill afford as its passing offense has been one of the worst in the country even with Loveland, who has more than twice as many receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns as any other Wolverine this year. No other Wolverine has caught more than 23 passes, 234 yards or two touchdowns, leaving the maize and blue with a severe lack of weapons to test Ohio State’s No. 1-ranked defense.
The 120th edition of The Game kicks off at noon Saturday at Ohio Stadium and will be televised by FOX.
