Michigan’s football team faced Washington last week without several notable players.
Some absences were expected, while others came as a surprise. Starting safeties Rod Moore and Brandyn Hillman were not on the pregame availability report, but neither suited up in the 24-7 victory over the Huskies.
Starting tight end Marlin Klein was ruled out before the game, but Hogan Hansen also didn’t play despite not being on the availability report.
Meanwhile, running back Justice Haynes was listed as questionable and participated in warmups, but Michigan ended up holding him out.
With a rivalry matchup at Michigan State on Saturday night, the Wolverines will hope to get a few of their injured players back. Here’s a rundown of where we believe things stand with the depth chart ahead of Saturday’s game (7:30 p.m., NBC):
Quarterback
Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) passes as Michigan football hosts Washington at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
Starter: Bryce Underwood
Reserves: Jadyn Davis, Mikey Keene, Jake Garcia
This will be Underwood’s first taste of the rivalry. The game always seems to mean more for the in-state players, and the former five-star recruit from Belleville will look to make a statement in his first game against the Spartans. He is coming off his most efficient performance of his career and now faces a MSU passing defense that ranks 17th in the Big Ten.
Running back
Starter: Justice Haynes OR Jordan Marshall
Reserves: Jasper Parker, Bryson Kuzdzal
Despite being a full participant in warmups against Washington, Haynes was held out. Head coach Sherrone Moore said he was “close” to playing in the game after practicing Thursday and Friday last week, but the coaches took a cautious approach. However, with another week to heal up, Haynes appears to have a better chance of playing against MSU. Even if he does play, though, he might not see as heavy of a workload. Marshall had a strong game in his first start of 2025, rushing for a career-high 133 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. True freshman Jasper Parker was the team’s No. 2 running back last week, and we could see more of him if Haynes isn’t able to go.
Tight end/ H-back
Starters: Max Bredeson, Marlin Klein OR Zack Marshall
Reserves: Hogan Hansen, Deakon Tonielli, Jalen Hoffman
Klein and Hansen have battled injuries all season, but both players missing the game against the Huskies was a surprise. There weren’t any concrete updates from the coaching staff this week, but despite the uncertainty around Klein and Hansen, Michigan’s tight ends had a productive game. Marshall had a career-high five catches and led the team with 72 receiving yards and a touchdown. Tonielli, a redshirt sophomore, also had his first three receptions of his career. How Michigan utilizes its tight ends and who is available will be a key storyline Saturday.
Offensive line
Starters: Blake Frazier (left tackle), Giovanni El-Hadi (left guard), Greg Crippen (center), Jake Guarnera (right guard), Andrew Sprague (right tackle)
Reserves: Nathan Efobi (guard), Brady Norton (tackle/guard), Lawrence Hattar (guard)
Michigan’s offensive line depth took another hit last week when starting left tackle Evan Link was carted off the field with a leg injury. Moore said the injury isn’t as severe as initially feared and Link could return later this season. Frazier, a redshirt freshman, will step in and make his first career start. The Wolverines were already thin at tackle to start the year. If there is another injury or if Frazier struggles, they likely will move Norton from guard to tackle.
Wide receivers
Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Andrew Marsh (4) runs in a touchdown as Michigan football hosts Washington at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
Starters: Donaven McCulley, Andrew Marsh, Semaj Morgan
Reserves: Channing Goodwin, Jamar Browder, Kendrick Bell
McCulley and Marsh are the clear top two receivers as Morgan continues to struggle with drops. He had his sixth of the season on Saturday and has just three receptions the past two games. Coaches continue to rave about Marsh, a true freshman, and continue to emphasize him in the game plan. He is second on the team with 297 receiving yards despite having just one catch in his first four games.
Defensive line
Starters: Derrick Moore (end), Trey Pierce OR Damon Payne (tackle), Rayshaun Benny OR Enow Etta (tackle), Jaishawn Barham (end)
Reserves: Cameron Brandt (end), Tre Williams (tackle), TJ Guy (end), Ike Iwunnah (tackle)
Trey Pierce was helped off the field against USC but started against Washington last week. However, he only played eight snaps, putting his status in question for Saturday. Rayshaun Benny’s is also questionable after an injury against Washington.
“He’s doing OK,” Sherrone Moore said Monday. “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.”
If one or both can’t go, look for more Damon Payne, Enow Etta and Tre Williams in the middle. The Wolverines’ front helped neutralize Washington dual-threat QB Demond Williams Jr. as a runner last week and will look to do the same against Aidan Chiles.
Linebackers
Michigan Wolverines linebacker Cole Sullivan (23) celebrates an interception as Michigan football hosts Washington at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
Starters: Ernest Hausmann, Jimmy Rolder
Reserves: Cole Sullivan, Troy Bowles
Hausmann was briefly banged up against the Huskies but returned to the game. The linebackers are coming off their best performance of the season, with Rolder and Sullivan each recording an interception. Expect to see a lot of Hausmann, Rolder and Sullivan again this week.
Secondary
Starters: Jyaire Hill (corner), TJ Metcalf (nickel), Brandyn Hillman OR Jaden Mangham (safety), Rod Moore OR Mason Curtis (safety), Zeke Berry (corner)
Reserves: Jayden Sanders (corner), Shamari Earls (corner)
Rod Moore and Brandyn Hillman not suiting up last week was puzzling, and Sherrone Moore didn’t have a detailed answer for their absence. They both were in uniform for the first half but in street clothes for the second. Sherrone Moore said both were expected to practice this week as the team took a “day-by-day” approach. Neither played very well the previous week against USC, but Michigan likely would still benefit from their experience over Mangham and Curtis. Mangham will have extra motivation facing his former team and could have a large role if Rod Moore or Hillman don’t play. Hill and Berry are expected to start at corner, but true freshmen Shamari Earls and Jayden Sanders both played over 10 snaps last week.
Special teams
Starters: Dominic Zvada (field goal/XP), Beckham Sunderland (kickoffs), Hudson Hollenbeck (punt), Semaj Morgan (punt return), Joe Taylor (kick return)
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