Michigan heads into Saturday’s Oct. 31 matchup with Rutgers trying to steady itself, but the availability report makes the setup look a lot messier than the record suggests.
The Wolverines, now 4-3 overall and 1-3 in Big Ten play, listed five starters as questionable for the game, while two players were marked probable and one was ruled out. On the Rutgers side, starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan will be out, and 6-foot-6 receiver KJ Duff is doubtful. Duff has been the Scarlet Knights’ top target, piling up 45 catches for 774 yards, an average of 17.2 per grab, and nine touchdowns.
Michigan’s questionable group includes safety Rod Moore, defensive tackle Enow Etta, right tackle Blake Frazier, and edge rushers John Henry Daley and Dom Nichols. Left tackle Andrew Sprague has been ruled out.
The full Michigan availability report lists Kendrick Bell, Braydon Alford, Micah Ka'apana, Julius Holly, Ace Hamilton and Sprague as out. In addition to Moore, Jordan Young, Nichols, Etta, Frazier and Daley are questionable. Troy Bowles and Jake Guarnera are probable.
Moore’s status remains one of the biggest questions. He played just six games last week after injuring his ankle the week before against Penn State on an interception. The three-time captain was considered a game-time decision before last week’s loss to Indiana but ultimately did not play.
“I feel good [about his chances to play]. I mean, obviously, see how he feels today," safeties coach Tyler Stockton said Wednesday.
"Practiced a little bit yesterday. Obviously with Rod, with his history, it’s a day-to-day deal.
But he’s a he’s a warrior, and that’s what you love about him.
"There’s no sitting out. He’s like, I’m gonna find a way to play to help my teammates.”
Frazier and Nichols both sat out last week. Frazier has been a regular at right tackle, and when he was out, freshman Marky Walbridge stepped in. Nichols also missed the game after being tagged questionable for several weeks before that, and with him unavailable, Benny Patterson took on a bigger load and played a career-high 36 snaps.
Michigan may also be sweating Daley’s status. He has dealt with an Achilles issue after surgery ended his season last year and kept him out of winter workouts and spring practice while he recovered. He has shown up on the availability report before, but has not missed a game.
Etta was a game-time decision last week and did play, though his snap count dropped to 25 after he had played 37 or more in every game but one in 2026.
Bowles and Guarnera are both expected to be available. Bowles has been Michigan’s top linebacker this season and leads the team with 55 tackles. Guarnera has been one of the most reliable pieces on an offensive line that has already used five different starting combinations in seven games.
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Michigan heads into Rutgers with a few notable availability questions still hanging over the lineup, most of them on the defensive side and up front. Starting right tackle Blake Frazier is questionable after sitting out the previous game, while safety Rod Moore is in the same category along with Jordan Young and Enow Etta. On the brighter side, linebacker Troy Bowles and center Jake Guarnera are both listed as probable, which gives Michigan at least some stability as it prepares for a road test.
The matchup also comes with its own set of injury concerns on the other sideline, since Rutgers will be without starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan and leading receiver KJ Duff. For Michigan, the bigger issue is still how much it can count on its own depth, especially if Frazier remains unavailable and the secondary keeps shifting around. Those final availability calls could shape how the Wolverines manage the game plan once kickoff arrives. [Read more 🡒]
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