Blake Corum has been the spine of Michigan’s offense all through the 2022 season.
Graded as the highest operating again within the nation by PFF at 96.1, Corum has rushed 245 instances for 1,457 yards with 18 touchdowns and caught 11 passes for 80 yards and one other rating. He has accounted for 30.9 p.c of his workforce’s complete offense.
However on the worst level within the season, every week earlier than No. 3 Michigan’s rivalry showdown with No. 2 Ohio State, Corum was injured within the first half of the sport in opposition to Illinois. He returned briefly for a carry within the second half, however didn’t seem the remainder of the game.
Heading into Saturday, his standing in what primarily is a win-and-get-in recreation for the School Soccer Playoff has been up within the air as he continues to nurse a knee harm.
MORE: Ohio State vs. Michigan gamers within the NFL: How they evaluate
What is the newest on his standing? The Sporting Information has all the data on whether or not he’ll play on Saturday in opposition to the Buckeyes.
Blake Corum newest information, harm standing
There was loads of uncertainty about Corum’s standing within the days following his harm. Whereas delivering turkeys bought together with his NIL cash on Sunday, Corum stated that his knee was positive, and he could be again, in keeping with The Detroit News‘ Angelique Chengelis.
On Monday, coach Jim Harbaugh stated he had no replace on Corum’s standing, per MLive, however one participant appeared to recommend Corum wouldn’t play in opposition to the Buckeyes.
Per Eleven Warriors’ Griffin Strom, Wolverines sort out Ryan Hayes was requested about how assured the offense would really feel transferring the ball if Corum was out, to which he stated that everybody “is simply gonna step up with him out.”
Saturday morning, although, phrase emerged that Corum would “try” to play in opposition to the Buckeyes. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Corum just isn’t 100% “and the variety of carries he’ll obtain and his normal effectiveness when he does get the ball are questions lingering over his return.”
Forward of Saturday’s recreation, Fox Sports activities’ Tom Rinaldi reported that Corum is predicted to begin vs. Ohio State. Corum was noticed throughout pregame warmups in full uniform and carrying a heavy brace on his left knee.
With 1:39 left within the first half in opposition to Illinois, Corum was tackled alongside the sideline and instantly grabbed for his left knee. He was capable of stroll off the sphere on his personal energy and went to the locker room after trainers got here out to take a look at him.
With 1:39 left within the first half in opposition to Illinois, Corum was tackled alongside the sideline and instantly grabbed for his left knee. He was capable of stroll off the sphere on his personal energy and went to the locker room after trainers got here out to take a look at him.
Corum jogged on the sphere after halftime and got here within the second half for a single carry, however didn’t return.
After the sport, Harbaugh stated his knee was structurally sound and stated he had been cleared to return Saturday, and that the workforce will see the place he was at bodily on Sunday.
MORE: Why is Michigan vs. Ohio State all the time performed at midday?
Michigan RB depth chart
Apart from shedding the starter at operating again, Corum’s harm may considerably deplete Michigan’s speeding assault.
Donovan Edwards, the backup operating again, left Michigan’s recreation in opposition to Nebraska early and didn’t play in opposition to Illinois. He’s second on the workforce with 70 carries, 471 yards and 4 touchdowns on the bottom with 14 receptions for 179 yards and two extra scores by means of the air. Harbaugh grouped Edwards in with Corum on Monday with no replace on their accidents.
If neither Corum nor Edwards are capable of play in opposition to Ohio State, true freshman C.J. Stokes could be subsequent in line to take the majority of the handoffs. He has 53 carries for 268 yards and a landing.
Solely three different operating backs have a minimum of 5 carries in 2022, with junior Isaiah Gash (19 carries, 101 yards, two touchdowns), sophomore Tavierre Dunlap (9 carries, 46 yards) and senior Danny Hughes (six carries, 35 yards).
Missing the highest two operating backs could be a serious blow for the Wolverines. Michigan ranks fourth within the nation in speeding yards per recreation (243.82), and 32 of the workforce’s 51 complete touchdowns have come on the bottom. Michigan’s passing assault ranks 99th within the nation with 208.8 yards per recreation.