Giovanni El-Hadi, Hogan Hansen injury updates: Sherrone Moore reveals status of Michigan duo

Michigan travels to USC to take on the Trojans during Week 7. However, the Wolverines may not be 100% during that matchup.

However, two players may be returning from their respective injuries this week: Offensive lineman Giovanni El-Hadi and tight end Hogan Hansen. According to Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore, both players appear to be trending up ahead of Saturday night.

“I think both of them are probable,” Moore said. “That’s where I’d state them right now. So we’ll see as we go through the week, feel good about their status and where they’re going to be. But we’ll just, you know, progress as we go through the week.”

El-Hadi was injured during Michigan’s 24-13 loss to Oklahoma on Sept. 6. Since then, junior Nathan Efobi has filled in his place and has started in the last three contests. El-Hadi warmed up against Wisconsin last week but was not cleared to play.

Elsewhere on the offensive line, junior guard Brady Norton has also missed the last three games working his way back from injury. Moore said, despite the injuries and fill-ins along the offensive front, that he’d like to see more consistency from his group.

For Hansen, the road to recovery has been a bit more frustrating. He’s been injured since the end of spring practices, missing most of the offseason rehabbing. He’s played in two games this season before suffering an injury in practice ahead of the Nebraska game and hasn’t played since. Hansen’s injury has not been disclosed.

So far this season, Hansen has three catches for 43 yards. Much of that came on a 26-yard reception against Central Michigan — the game while he caught all three of his passes. In his absence, Marlin Klein has emerged as the Wolverines’ top tight end having hauled in 11 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown.

Despite dealing with multiple injuries, Michigan is off to a 4-1 start this year. In turn, the Wolverines have found themselves ranked all season long. They won’t play another ranked team until facing Ohio State during the season finale, so their success may carry over into the second half of the season.

However, it remains to be seen whether the Wolverines will be 100% by Saturday. Moore’s report sure seems hopeful, at least. Kickoff against USC is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and will air live on NBC.