Injuries to monitor for banged up Mitten teams this weekend
Four of the five Mitten teams have notable injuries to keep track of heading into Saturday.
It's a big week for Big Ten pregame availability reports.
The 2025 season is a quarter way through, which means everyone has bumps and bruises, and certainly a handful of more pressing injuries.
And across the Mitten, that is the case, as Michigan, Michigan State, Central Michigan and Western Michigan all have notable players banged up going into some key Week 4 showdowns.
So from the Spartans top wideout to starting offensive lineman for the Wolverines and Broncos, here are key injuries to monitor entering this weekend.
Nick Marsh, Michigan State wide receiver
Marsh sustained a lower body injury against Youngstown State in Week 3. His status for the Saturday night game against USC is yet-to-be announced, but he was pictured on Spartan social media getting on the team flight to Los Angeles.
Marsh’s ability to play would be massive for MSU in a game where the Spartans might need to outscore the opponent to try and win, as the sophomore receiver is arguably the best player on the Michigan State offense.
If Marsh cannot go, look to Omari Kelly and Jack Velling to take on bigger loads as pass catchers, with the likes of Rod Bullard, Chrishon McCray and Evan Boyd likely needing to have a strong game.
Makhi Frazier, Michigan State running back
Frazier also left the game against Youngstown State and his status for Saturday night is also not clear. Suffering a lower body injury, Frazier’s final status won’t be known until closer to kickoff.
MSU’s leading running back in terms of production through three games, Frazier’s absence would put the onus on fellow sophomore Brandon Tullis and transfer Elijah Tau-Tolliver to carry most of the backfield burden. Aidan Chiles’ ability as a runner would be a bigger factor, too.
Rod Moore, Michigan safety
The veteran defensive back tore his ACL in March 2024 and after initial surgery and a follow up procedure, and now a year and a half removed from the injury, Moore seems poised to make his 2025 debut. He dressed and warmed up the past two weeks but did not play, and is now “on track” to play against the Cornhuskers.
Moore might not have been ready against Oklahoma and given the coaching staff seems confident he can knock off the rust fast in live action, holding him out for another week against Central Michigan in Week 3, setting up a potential return at Nebraska this weekend, hasn’t phased those in Schembechler Hall.
He might be on a bit of a snap count if he does play on Saturday, but Moore returning to the backend would be a big boost for the Michigan secondary, in any capacity.
Brady Norton, Michigan guard
One of two interior lineman who missed the Central Michigan game for Michigan with an injury, Norton seems to be the closer of the two to making his return.
The transfer won out a starting guard spot in camp and then suffered an injury in practice leading up to Week 3 and was held out. He returned to practice this week and seems on track to return to the lineup on Saturday.
If Norton can’t retake his right guard spot, Michigan liked what it saw from Jake Guarnera in that spot in his first career start in Week 3.
Gio El-Hadi, Michigan guard
The other of two Michigan guards, El-Hadi got hurt against Oklahoma and left the game, and then didn’t dress for the Week 3 win over Central Michigan.
A veteran lineman and experienced hand for the Wolverines, losing El-Hadi has been a blow, but Guarnera and Nathan Efobi, who started at left guard on Saturday, held up well against the Chippewas.
It sounds like El-Hadi might not be back this week against the Cornhuskers, but he’s getting closer to getting back in the mix.
Jadyn Glasser, Central Michigan quarterback
Glasser’s injury seems to be a bit murky, a knee issue that he had looked at by University of Michigan doctors on Friday night before the loss to Michigan.
Glasser was held out of that game, and head coach Matt Drinkall said postgame that it’s the sort of injury where the Chippewas are hoping to rest him and see if Glasser can return. It also seems possible that this is an ailment that could become longer term and require further intervention.
The Chippewas can probably afford to roll with two quarterbacks instead of three, as preferred, facing FCS Wagner this Saturday. But Glasser is an immense talent and losing him for any period of time changes the complexion of the Central Michigan offense and game plans with the three-quarterback system.
Jeremy Schleicher, Western Michigan center
Schleicher left Western Michigan’s loss to Illinois with an injury and did not return. His status for Saturday’s game against Toledo is unclear, though he is not listed on the depth chart.
Head coach Lance Taylor on Monday said that he was still waiting to hear from medical staff on further testing, but that the prognosis out of Saturday had a positive spin.
If Schleicher can’t play, the Broncos will go with Michigan transfer lineman Raheem Anderson at center.
Zeke Berry, Michigan defensive back
Berry, who plays corner and some nickel for Michigan, got hurt against Oklahoma — another lower body injury — and missed the Central Michigan game. Berry warmed up in uniform but didn’t play against the Chippewas.
His status against Nebraska is undetermined, but defensive backs coach Lamar Morgan spoke this week and said that Berry is getting closer, though it sounds like this weekend may not be the time for his return.
He’s been practicing, according to Morgan, and what the coaches want to see is that Berry is more than just feeling healthy, but comfortable with the physical demands on his legs at cornerback.
