Michigan football appears to be without Kwity Paye, Jalen Mayfield vs. Wisconsin
Michigan football will be short-handed against No. 14 Wisconsin.
The Wolverines appear to be missing star defensive end Kwity Paye, right tackle Jalen Mayfield and left tackle Ryan Hayes. None of them were seen warming up before Saturday night's game. A program spokesperson confirmed all three were out due to injury.
Paye is the team's leading pass rusher with two sacks and a team-high 25 pressures in three games, according to Pro Football Focus. The senior was injured at the end of the third quarter of last week's loss at Indiana and did not return to the contest.
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His absence is a heavy blow to an already injury-stricken defensive line. Star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson fractured his leg against the Hoosiers and will be out the remainder of the season. Without Paye and Hutchinson, the Wolverines could work in backup defensive ends Luiji Vilain and Taylor Upshaw, who combined to play near 100 snaps against Indiana. Michigan's pass rush has not tallied a sack over the past two games — and it'll be harder to break that drought without Paye and Hutchinson.
Meanwhile, Mayfield and Hayes – the two starting offensive tackles — will be out another week after not traveling to Indiana due to injury. Mayfield suffered a high right ankle sprain against Michigan State on Oct. 31; Hayes' injury is unknown.
Against the Hoosiers, the Wolverines shuffled around their offensive line, moving right guard Andrew Stueber to right tackle while sliding in redshirt freshman Karsen Barnhart at left tackle and true freshman Zak Zinter at right guard.
Contact Orion Sang at osang@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @orion_sang. .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football appears to be without Kwity Paye, Jalen Mayfield
