ANN ARBOR -- Desmond Morgan's season is officially over, but it appears that the senior linebacker's career at Michigan will be extended for one last year.
Michigan coach Brady Hoke announced during his weekly press conference on Monday that Morgan will be shelved for the rest of the season as he deals with a "hand problem" suffered after the first game of the season against Appalachian State.
"One injury update, Desmond Morgan, we're going to redshirt (him) this year," Hoke said. "He will be back as a fifth-year senior next year."
According to NCAA rules, a player can only be eligible for a medical redshirt if the student-athlete has not participated in 30% of the season or three games, whichever is greater. Considering Morgan has only participated in one game with the season halfway over, he will be eligible for a medical redshirt and can return next season.
Appearing in 37 career games for Michigan, Morgan has compiled 229 tackles, two-and-a-half sacks and 14 tackles for loss.
Peppers status still uncertain
As it has been for much of the season, the status of freshman corner Jabrill Peppers is still up in the air.
However, Michigan did make some progress by removing his name from the depth chart this week as he tries to come back from a leg injury suffered earlier this season. Removing him from the depth chart hasn't happened all season, which could point to how far away Peppers is from returning to the team.
Hoke, who has remained mum on injuries all season long, did not say whether Peppers will miss the 2014 season. Like Morgan, Peppers is a possible candidate for a medical redshirt as he has played sparingly in three games this season.
When asked on Monday, Hoke wouldn't give any answers of substance regarding Peppers.
"He's still battling some things and we'll see where he ends up," Hoke said. "If he was out (for the season), I'd have lumped him in with Desmond."