Michigan running back Brandon Minor's status uncertain for Ohio State
ANN ARBOR - Brandon Minor’s availability for Saturday’s Michigan-Ohio State game is uncertain because of a left shoulder injury.
Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said Monday that Minor is day to day. Minor played sparingly in last week’s loss to Wisconsin, and told an autograph seeker after the game that he was in so much pain he couldn’t lift his arm.
Michigan running back Brandon Minor bolts through the Purdue line before heading upfield for a 55-yard touchdown run during the second quarter against Purdue.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
“It’s concerning,” Rodriguez said. “I guess you can’t predict how much the next 48 hours or so will do for his improvement.”
Minor aggravated the injury, which he suffered early in a Nov. 7 loss to Purdue, in the first half against Wisconsin. The high ankle sprain that nagged Minor most the year was not an issue against the Badgers, Rodriguez said.
Vincent Smith caught seven passes for 54 yards and had eight carries in Minor’s place.
With high stakes this weekend - the Wolverines (5-6, 1-6) need a win to become bowl eligible and haven't beaten Ohio State since 2003 - could a miracle recovery for Minor be in the works?
“Brandon’s a tough guy,” Rodriguez said. “He’ll go if he can.”
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
guns4me
Mon, Nov 16, 2009 : 8:57 p.m.
BLA BLA BLA...OSU 42 uofm 10
amaizenman
Mon, Nov 16, 2009 : 4:36 p.m.
He has been injured more than he has been healthy. Sometimes you just have to "man up" and play with pain. Either he doesn't have that ability or the coaches and medical staff won't allow him to play with some injuries and pain. Oh well, probably won't matter much who we put on the field and at what positions this weekend, it is going to be a disappointing ending to another disappointing season. It makes the off season long and hard for all involved, coaches, players, fans and even the trolls that can't have fun with us for 8 months.
81wolverine
Mon, Nov 16, 2009 : 4:27 p.m.
What a huge disappointment Minor's senior year has been. A healthy Brandon Minor would have rushed for well over 1,000 yards this season. He could have been a big boost to our offense. It's possible he's just injury prone as a player, in which case his NFL prospects are not good. But, I'm still hoping he can play against OSU and go out strong as a senior.