Michigan football team running back Brandon Minor bothered by sprained ankle, bruised shoulder
Michigan running back Brandon Minor scores on a 29-yard touchdown run against Purdue on Saturday. Minor has a sore ankle and shoulder, and Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez isn't sure how much he'll get to use Minor against Wisconsin this week. (Photo: Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com)
The Michigan football team's best running back aggravated the high ankle sprain that’s bothered him all season in last week’s 38-36 loss to Purdue, and coach Rich Rodriguez said Monday he’s not sure how healthy Minor will be for Saturday’s game at Wisconsin.
“Last week, we knew he was going to be able to play a little bit because it was a good week,” Rodriguez said. “Really won’t know more about his ability (to play this week) until tomorrow’s practice.”
Minor, who also suffered a bruised shoulder against Purdue, ran for a season-high 154 yards and three touchdowns in defeat. Michigan (5-5, 1-5) needs his physical presence against a Wisconsin team that allows barely 100 yards rushing per game.
“I think we are a better offensive team for sure (when Minor’s healthy) because he’s got the ability to break tackles, he runs downhill,” Rodriguez said. “You don’t get a lot of negative-yardage plays with Brandon because he’s such a strong guy.”
No. 2 running back Carlos Brown, who played sparingly against the Boilermakers because of knee tendinitis, should practice this week, but receiver Martavious Odoms’ status is in doubt because of a sprained knee. Odoms has missed two straight games
Receiver Junior Hemingway was limited against Purdue with “back issues,” Rodriguez said.
“Hopefully he’ll fight through that,” Rodriguez said.
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett
Comments
Maize&Believe
Tue, Nov 10, 2009 : 12:01 a.m.
you really just said he's made of glass?? if you remember mike hart had the same injury and it's a very lingering injury.. you can't be a good down hill runner and made out of glass.. he's very strong and definetly not made out of glass.. and it's more then just "manning up". He go's in and out for 2 weeks then comes back for a whole game and has a strong game and reagervates it.. he can't help it.. it limits him w/ movement and other stuff.. if we only had him the whole season healthy i could only imagine what we could have done this season. oh well to more weeks to pull in off. BELIEVE, Go BLUE!
AAallmylife
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 8:31 p.m.
Minor is the best back on the team. He runs hard, and plays hard just like you would want. To bad he's made of glass!
Imaloser
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 3:21 p.m.
Imagine how bad this team would be without Minor. That's the future, folks.
chosen1
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 1:59 p.m.
Man up Brandon, the team is going to need you running over wisky and ohio state.