Jim Harbaugh told reporters at his usual Monday press conference that freshman defensive lineman Donovan Jeter is out for the season after undergoing surgery.
Harbaugh says Donovan Jeter has had surgery, out for the year.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) September 11, 2017
It is unclear what Jeter’s injury is or what the surgery was specifically on, but Jeter’s absence will force some of the other young guys to step up when guys like Rashan Gary, Maurice Hurst and others need a breather. Expect to see more from players like Carlo Kemp, Kwity Paye and Aubrey Solomon when Michigan needs its second line of defense in the game.
Paye and Solomon, also freshmen, have already seen time this season in a reserve/garbage time role. Kemp, a sophomore who is playing through a broken hand, played extensively last season when the game was practically over.
You can also expect highly touted freshman defensive end Luiji Vilain to get some playing time this season, but Harbaugh also told reporters Monday that Vilain’s unspecified injury is not long-term. Vilain did not make the trip with the team to Arlington during Week 1, along with Jeter and freshman receiver Nico Collins, who was dressed this past weekend against Cincinnati.
Freshman receiver Oliver Martin and redshirt freshman running back Kareem Walker are also working through some injuries, according to Harbaugh. He did not specify the severity of those injuries or what those injuries are.
Kareem Walker and Oliver Martin are both working through injuries, Harbaugh says
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) September 11, 2017