Michigan CB Will Johnson ‘working’ to play vs. rival MSU

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Will Michigan’s best defensive back suit up and play against its in-state rival?

Cornerback Will Johnson remains questionable for Saturday’s primetime showdown with Michigan State (7:30 p.m., Big Ten Network), with head coach Sherrone Moore earlier in the week calling him questionable.

On Wednesday, his position coach, LaMar Morgan, said Johnson “did some things” on Monday but seemed to suggest he was limited in practice on Tuesday but “working to play this weekend.”

“Right now, Will Johnson is just working through trying to be his best all the time when he gets on the field,” Morgan, Michigan’s defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator, said. “The game is not played today. There’s a lot of guys that maybe don’t go full speed until Wednesday or Thursday and had a heck a of a game on Saturdays.”

Johnson exited last Saturday’s loss at Illinois in the second quarter with an undisclosed injury, leaving transfer cornerback Aamir Hall to fill in. And while Hall contributed to a tackle for loss, the former FCS All-American at Albany was flagged twice for pass interference.

If Johnson is unable to play against the Spartans, expect the 6-foot-1, 201-pound Hall to start alongside Jyaire Hill.

“Whenever they’re not on the field, you lose that aspect of a coach, you lose an aspect of a guy that’s experienced, a guy that can say one or two things to try and keep the guys on the field engaged,” Morgan said. “With his leadership and all that, I think any team in the country is better with Will Johnson on the field.

A Detroit native, Johnson has already sat out one game this season with a shoulder injury. The first-team All-American in 2023 is Michigan’s best defensive back and potential first round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Through seven games, the Wolverines’ pass defense is allowing more than 234 yards per game on 37 attempts, 96th in the country.

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