Michigan football star Will Johnson talks injury status, recovery

Last weekend, when the Wolverines took on the Scarlet Knights in Ann Arbor, was the first time since the 2023 season that Michigan had its elite defensive back trio back on the field. Will Johnson (CB), Rod Moore (S), and Makari Paige (S) were all taken off injury protocol, which is massive news for the Maize and Blue, especially now that Big Ten play is underway. This evening, the Michigan football star met with the media, giving us the latest injury status update heading into this weekend’s contest against Nebraska.

Michigan football star details injury status ahead of Nebraska game

As a true freshman for the Maize and Blue in 2022, Will Johnson stood out as one of the top defensive backs in the nation. According to Pro Football Focus, no five-star freshman was graded higher last fall; this year, Johnson appears to be gearing up for a second-straight special season, this time, as the team’s top cornerback.

While Johnson’s return to the field did not come without a hiccup or two, his presence helped shut down Rutgers‘ offense, keeping the Wolverines’ defense ranked No. 1 in the nation heading into Week 5. Johnson — who had surgery over the offseason and is coming off of a knee injury — offered an injury update this evening.

“I’m feeling great,” Will Johnson said. “I’m excited to be back out there. Excited to be back out there every week. Just want to keep getting better every week because I think that’s just the biggest thing for me right now is just get better every week.”

Note: Johnson would not specifically say what was wrong, but stated that it was related to his knee injury, surgery, and recovery.

Will Johnson could have played during Weeks 1-3

Johnson was also asked if he would have been ready if Michigan football was facing a tougher opponent through the first three weeks. According to the sophomore cornerback, if the Wolverines were playing Ohio State (or a top-caliber team), he would have played through it. That said, seeing as Michigan played East Carolina, Bowling Green, and UNLV, there was no real need to risk anything.

“I mean, if I had to, I definitely could have (played through injury),” Johnson said. “But, like I said, I just wanted to be my healthiest and the best I can for the team and not be vulnerable out there for me or the team, so we were just doing what worked out for the team at the time.”

This weekend, Michigan football and a healthy Will Johnson hit the road to Lincoln, NE, for a Week 5 matchup against Nebraska — the team’s first road game of the year.