Michigan TE Jake Butt tears ACL in winter conditioning
Michigan announced that TE Jake Butt tore his ACL during winter conditioning practice.
According to the school, he's out indefinitely.
"Jake's done a tremendous job since he's been here," coach Brady Hoke said in a statement. "He's worked extremely hard and gained a lot of weight to become the complete tight end he wants to be. I think he showed flashes of that towards the end of last season. This is a tough break, but because of his work ethic and attitude, the kind of young man he is, we know he will be back as soon as he can and as strong as ever."
With the departure of Jeremy Gallon, Butt and fellow TE Devin Funchess were the Wolverines' two returning leading receivers. Funchess had 49 catches for 748 yards while Butt had 20 catches for 235 yards in 2013. Against Ohio State in Michigan's 42-41 loss to the Buckeyes, Butt had five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown.
ACL injuries typically take approximately nine months to recover from. That obviously puts the start of the season in doubt for Butt, though it doesn't immediately wipe out his chances of playing at all in 2014.
Earlier in February, Hoke said the Wolverines would have an open quarterback battle between Devin Gardner, Shane Morris and others. Gardner had an up-and-down season in 2013, but was mostly up in the game against Ohio State. Against OSU, he threw for 451 ad four touchdowns. However, he also suffered a broken foot in the game and Morris started the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl against Kansas State. Gardner is also expected to be limited during spring practice.
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