Michigan football injury updates: Evan Link 'better than expected,' Benny, others improving

Michigan fans were holding their collective breath when Evan Link went down early in the Wolverines’ 24-7 win over Washington Saturday. The big left tackle suffered a lower body injury and was carted off the field. 

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When that happens, it’s usually the sign of a significant injury, confirmed in the postgame when Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said, “it doesn’t look good.” That was the extent of the bad news, though. On Monday, Moore confirmed Link wouldn’t start this weekend but should return this year. 

“It wasn’t as bad as we thought,” he said. “I think we’ll have him back sooner than later. We’ll see. We’ll just take it week by week. Blake [Frazier] will start, and Brady Norton will also play some tackle, as well. He played that before in his career, so we always had that planned. We’ll move guys around accordingly.”

Michigan redshirt frosh Frazier played well in Link’s absence, Moore confirmed.

“I’m really proud of him, the player he’s become,” he said. “Having those extra O-lineman reps were huge. We’ve really done that the past year … getting young guys extra reps. 

“You’ve seen the progression. He gained the weight, came it at 245 or 255, up to 300 [pounds now] … he played well. He’s got some things to fix, as we all do, but he definitely stepped up at a time needed.”

Michigan junior running back Justice Haynes, meanwhile, dressed and worked with the ‘ones’ before the game Saturday but was held out. 

“He’ll practice this week, so we’ll see,” Moore said. “I think he’ll be good.”

Safeties Rod Moore and Brandyn Hillman missed last week’s game but will practice this week, Moore added. 

“We’ll see. I think Brandyn will practice this week, so we’ll take it day by day and see where he’s at … and again, same thing with Rod.”

Finally, linebacerk Ernest Hausmann was banged up but returned, and defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny was also hurt during the game. 

“He’s doing okay. We’ll look to see if he can practice this week and see where that goes, but we’ll know in the middle of the week where he is,” Moore said of Benny. “Ernie [has success] play after play after play … I think he’ll be okay, too. He’ll be fine.”