Michigan football injury report vs. UNLV: Makari Paige out; Will Johnson, Rod Moore iffy
Michigan football's secondary appears to be even more banged up in Week 2 than the shorthanded version it trotted out in the season opener.
The Wolverines released their availability report for Week 2 vs. UNLV — now required by the Big Ten two hours before game time — and it had six players listed out: safety Makari Paige (undisclosed), cornerback Amorion Walker (lower body), cornerback German Green (undisclosed), linebacker Jimmy Rolder (undisclosed) and running backs Tavierre Dunlap (undisclosed) and Benjamin Hall (undisclosed).
Wide receiver Logan Forbes (lower body) was not listed, but underwent season ending surgery in August.
Defensive backs Will Johnson and Rod Moore are still listed as questionable, as are receivers Payton O'Leary and Darius Clemons and linebacker Christian Boivin. Johnson and Moore were listed as questionable in Week 1, but did not play.
Michigan's projected starting secondary this spring was Johnson, Moore, Paige, Walker and Mike Sainristil. It's possible of those five, only one plays Saturday.
Yet U-M's hopes are not lost in the secondary.
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A potentially thin secondary is exactly the reason UMass transfer Josh Wallace, a three-time captain with the Minutemen, was brought in. He shined on defense at cornerback vs. East Carolina, nearly coming away with an interception (he settled for a pass breakup). Former walk-on Keshaun Harris held down the other starting cornerback spot.
Meanwhile, Keon Sabb had a pass breakup, as well as a career-high five tackles starting for Moore. Look for Zeke Berry and Ja'Den McBurrows to rotate in vs. the Rebels.
The Wolverines are again without head coach Jim Harbaugh, who is serving the second of a three-game university imposed suspension — its response to an NCAA investigation into Harbaugh for allegedly misleading investigators (a Level I violation) who were looking recruiting infractions (Level II violations).
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Harbaugh watched the team's Week 1 win at offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore's house, who was also suspended by the program. Moore returns against UNLV.
Special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh, Jim's son, will serve as head coach in the first half, with running backs coach Mike Hart coaching the second half.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football secondary even more banged up vs. UNLV
