Rod Moore injury update: Michigan safety's status revealed vs. Oklahoma

Michigan safety Rod Moore is expected to miss the Wolverines’ matchup against No. 18 Oklahoma on Saturday, per On3’s Pete Nakos. Moore also didn’t play in Michigan’s season-opener. He missed the entire 2024 campaign due to a torn ACL.

While Moore isn’t ready to return to action yet this season, he’s a team captain for the Wolverines. In the 2023 campaign, Moore started in 11 of his 12 appearance for the team, racking up 38 tackles, five pass breakups and two interceptions.

In the 2022 season, Moore was an All-Big Ten honorable mention. In 2021, Moore was the team’s defensive rookie of the year. In total, Moore has amassed 37 appearances and 28 starts. In August, Moore opened up on his recovery process.

“I had the surgery in April and then went through rehab, and I got to the eight-month mark,” Moore said. “And I remember I had a torn meniscus as well… It was such a small tear that we really didn’t address it when I got the first surgery, but when I started doing my rehab again, I started feeling like the pain that would just not go away whenever I was striking the ground. And I think it was coming from my meniscus. And so it was either go get surgery again or try an injection. 

“I tried to do a PRP injection and then that didn’t work, so I was just like, what else is there to do? I gotta fix it now. So now, I mean, the ACL is 100% good. I’m just working back from meniscus surgery right now. I’ve been cleared and everything, but it’s just a matter of how I feel and when I feel ready to go back on the field.”

Michigan’s secondary would certainly love to have Rod Moore with it on Saturday. After all, Oklahoma’s offense poses a serious passing threat. The Sooners brought in Washington State transfer quarterback John Mateer this offseason.

Mateer logged 3,139 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, compared to seven interceptions for the Cougars last season. His arm isn’t his only weapon. Mateer also recorded 826 rushing yards for 15 touchdowns.

In Oklahoma’s season-opening win over Illinois State, Mateer completed 30-of-his-37 pass attempts for 392 yards and three touchdowns, while only throwing one interception. Michigan’s defense has its work cut out for it this weekend.

On Saturday, Michigan and Oklahoma will square off at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will air live on ABC.