Michigan Will Face Minnesota with Several Key Injuries

The football program released an availability report ahead of Saturday's matchup at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Football

Michigan Will Face Minnesota with Several Key Injuries

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Michigan submitted an initial player availability report on Wednesday for Saturday's game against Minnesota. Four starters are listed as questionable, while six players remain out for the contest.

Why it matters

Managing player availability is critical for the program as it prepares for the 100th iteration of the Little Brown Jug rivalry game. The team continues to navigate personnel challenges following recent matchups.

Receiver Andrew Marsh leads the questionable group with 22 catches, 239 yards, and one touchdown over four games. Defensive player Dominic Nichols recorded four tackles and half a sack during the recent Iowa contest.

The players

Andrew Marsh

He is a receiver for the Michigan football program who has tallied 22 receptions for 239 yards this season.

Dominic Nichols

He is a defensive player for Michigan who recorded four tackles and half a sack against Iowa.

John Henry Daley

He is a player for the Michigan football team who sustained a foot injury during the game against Iowa.

Andrew Sprague

He is a player for the Michigan football program who missed the previous two games due to injury.

The details

Andrew Marsh, Andrew Sprague, Dominic Nichols, and John Henry Daley are currently designated as questionable for the Saturday kickoff. Braydon Alford, Micah Ka'apana, Jonathan Brown, Julius Holly, Ace Hamilton, and Andrew Babalola have been ruled out for the game.

Timeline

  1. Michigan submitted its initial player availability report on Wednesday.

  2. The game against Minnesota is scheduled for Saturday at 12 p.m. ET.

Season Trajectory

This game represents the 100th meeting in the Little Brown Jug series, a long-standing rivalry in Big Ten football. The injury status of these players significantly impacts Michigan's ability to maintain competitive balance as the conference schedule intensifies.

The absence of six players and the questionable status of four others creates significant uncertainty for roster depth in this rivalry matchup. Fantasy participants and bettors should monitor the final status of Andrew Marsh, as his 22 catches represent a primary target for the offense.

The takeaway

Injury reports provide essential insight into the tactical adjustments coaching staffs must make before a game begins. Tracking these updates helps observers understand how personnel shifts might affect the outcome of the Little Brown Jug.

What happens next

The football program will provide additional player availability updates daily until the 12 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday.

Further reading

For more on the team's progress this season, visit the Football section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Mlive.

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