The Michigan Wolverines lost starting offensive tackle LaDarius Henderson to injury for their Week 12 contest against Maryland. Will they get Henderson back when they play Ohio State in the biggest game of the year? Here’s the latest.
LaDarius Henderson Injury: Will Michigan’s Starting OT Return Against Ohio State?
The Michigan Wolverines were shorthanded on the offensive line against Maryland, as starting left tackle LaDarius Henderson missed the game with an undisclosed injury.
Luckily, it appears as though Henderson’s absence will be short-lived.
After the game, interim head coach Sherrone Moore told reporters the following, in regards to Henderson: “LD was working through something, he’ll be back next week.”
Moore’s statement is definitive, and it confirms that Henderson will be back in the lineup for Michigan in a season-defining contest against Ohio State.
Henderson started the season as a reserve lineman but appeared in all 10 games leading up to the Maryland contest. In the team’s most recent six-game stretch, he was the full-time starter at left tackle and served as an upgrade over Myles Hinton.
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The Wolverines managed to earn a 31-24 win against the Terrapins, but the offensive line issues made it difficult at times. Hinton went down with a knee injury midway through, forcing Karsen Barnhart to move to left tackle, while Trente Jones rotated in on the right side.
Henderson returning will allow J.J. McCarthy to be more comfortable in the pocket, and against Ohio State’s rush, that will be paramount.
J.T. Tuimoloau gave projected first-round pick Olu Fashanu trouble earlier in the year with his power, and Tyleik Williams is an alignment-versatile force.
The Michigan-Ohio State game will pit two undefeated Big Ten East competitors against one another in a clash that may ultimately serve as the gateway to both the Big Ten Title game and the College Football Playoffs.
With so much on the line, the Wolverines can’t afford to be shorthanded in the trenches. That’s why Henderson’s return to the field is so important.