Michigan vs TCU Injury Report & News for CFP Semifinal Fiesta Bowl
- In the Michigan vs TCU inactive and injury report, Big Ten defensive lineman of the year Mike Morris may be ready to play in the Fiesta Bowl
- The Wolverines are already without leading rusher Blake Corum
- Read below to find out who’s in and who’s out prior to this kickoff
One of the standouts of an elite Michigan Wolverines’ defense should be back in time to wreck the plans of the TCU Horned Frogs in the Fiesta Bowl.
Edge rusher Mike Morris (lower body injury) didn’t appear limited in practice leading up to the semifinal. He missed UM’s game against Illinois, was limited against Ohio State, and sat out the Big Ten title game against Purdue.
There’s also good news on the offense, as running back Donovan Edwards (hand) should be a full go. He was seen wearing a cast on his right hand during practice, an injury he’s been dealing with since the Nebraska game on Nov 12.
He’s stepped up big time in the absence of running back Blake Corum (knee) who is out for the year after sustaining a knee injury against Illinois.
The college football odds have the Wolverines as a 7.5-point favorite, with a total set at 58.5
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Catch this game Saturday at 4pm ET from State Farm Stadium, in a game you can see live on ESPN.
Weather won’t be a factor in a dome in Arizona, with temperatures around 65 degrees at kickoff.
Michigan Wolverines Injury Report
Morris, named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, had 21 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss and a team-leading 7.5 sacks in just 10 games this season.
There’s plenty of pressure to be supplied all around against the Horned Frogs’ pass attack: no less than 10 players have at least two sacks for the Wolverines this season.
Long snapper William Wagner (undisclosed) is out for the year, while tight end Colston Loveland (undisclosed) limped off the field against the Boilermakers on a special teams play, but did return later in the game.
Donovan Edwards… WOAH!
Can they catch him? … NO!
Donovan Edwards again – 85 yards The DON…
2 huge touchdowns and the Wolverines go up 44-23 pic.twitter.com/3XrQ5RdY6I
— James T. Yoder (@JamesYoder) December 23, 2022
As for Edwards, his emergence following the Corum injury has allowed the fifth-best rushing attack in the country to keep churning.
Edwards ripped Ohio State, carrying 22 times for 216 yards rushing and a pair of scores. He followed that up with 25 carries, 185 yards and a major against Purdue in the Big Ten title game.
The Wolverines average 243 rush yards per game and are second nationally with 38 touchdowns. As a team, they’ve gained at least 165 yards every game. They’ve topped 225 yards nine times.
Michigan Injury Report
| Player | Position | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donovan Edwards | RB | Hand | Probable |
| Blake Corun | RB | Knee | Out |
| William Wagner | LS | Undisclosed | Out |
| Caden Kolesar | DB | Knee | Out |
| Nikhai Hill-Green | LB | Lower Body | Out |
TCU Horned Frogs Injury Report
The Horned Frogs come into this one relatively healthy.
Wide receiver Quincy Brown has been out since early September with an ankle injury that will probably end his season. He’s definitely out for the Fiesta Bowl.
The only other issue was a transfer out by receiver Caleb Medford. Combined, the two accounted for 44 total snaps on offense.
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston has everything to be a dominant pass catcher in the NFL.
He can make things happen at the catch point, with the ball in his hands and by winning at the LOS.pic.twitter.com/cdV8lcRJN1
— Luca Sartirana (@SartiranaLuca) December 22, 2022
That won’t take away from the 25th-best passing attack in the nation, which puts up an average of 273 passing yards per game. Quarterback Max Duggan has had a standout year, throwing for 3,321 yards, 30 touchdowns and just four interceptions — all top-20 figures.
He’ll also have stud receiver Quentin Johnston to throw to. Projected to be the top receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft, he’s racked up 903 yards and five touchdowns on the year.
TCU Injury Report
| Player | Position | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quincy Brown | WR | Ankle | Out |
Johnston did suffer an ankle injury late in the season in a game against Baylor, which forced him to miss the next game against Iowa State.
He did, however, return for the Big 12 title game, catching four balls for a team-high 139 yards. He’s told reporters he feels 85-90% healthy right now but expects to be 100% come the Fiesta Bowl.
How Can Injuries Affect Michigan vs TCU Lines?
If there is any setback in Johnston’s status as we close in on kickoff, you could see the line expand up to another point. Michigan boasts the 3rd-best defense in the NCAA, allowing just 277.1 yards per game. They’re 23rd in the nation, surrendering just 191.8 pass yards.
I don’t think that affects the total, however, as these are the fifth and sixth-highest scoring teams in the country, each averaging 40+ points per game this season.
If Edwards’ hand injury forces him out, that would take a monster piece out of the UM attack, and you could see the point spread tighten. Even if Morris can’t go, Michigan has talent across that defense.
It seems, however, with the injuries at a minimum, this line should stay the course.
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Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
