Notebook: Eastern Michigan, Michigan State, Michigan nursing key offensive injuries this week

Three teams in the Mitten are dealing with notable injuries this week, as Michigan State, Michigan and Eastern Michigan are all hoping some key offensive players will be healthy to play come Saturday.

The situation in East Lansing revolves around another offensive line injury and whether or not Aidan Chiles can play against Indiana this Saturday. 

For Michigan, all eyes are on the left side of running back Justice Haynes’ torso going into a game vs. Washington. 

And the Eagles are going to face a top MAC foe, Miami (OH), hopefully getting back a top receiver and a key running back in Terry Lockett and Tavierre Dunlap, respectively, for the matchup.

Here’s the injury picture going into the week. 

MSU waiting to make decision on Aidan Chiles, Kristian Phillips vs. Indiana

Chiles left Saturday’s loss against UCLA in the middle of the game and didn’t return. He also took a significant beating against Nebraska the week prior.

And the status of Michigan State’s starting quarterback remains up in the air as the week of practice progresses, head coach Jonathan Smith said, as MSU is slated to travel to face a Top 5 Indiana squad in Bloomington this weekend. 

Along with Chiles, offensive guard Kristian Phillips left Saturday’s game and didn’t return. Phillips missed most of 2024 with a torn ACL after starting the first three games. 

Both Phillips and Chiles, along with tight end Michael Masunas, will have their respective statuses come into focus later in the week, Smith said. 

“Optimistic, but we'll find out at the end of the week,” Smith said.

If Phillips can’t play, the Spartans will likely turn to a combination of Gavin Broscious and Caleb Carter. And those two haven’t been stalwarts, exactly, as the Spartans rotated a number of players in and out of various spots. Tackle has also been an issue of late with Stanton Ramil hurt and Ashton Lepo and Rustin Young, among others, struggling in the spot opposite Conner Moore. 

The only real bright spot on the Spartans offensive line is center Matt Gulbin, who certainly needs more help on either side of him.

And if Chiles can’t go, it will be quarterback Alessio Milivojevic at quarterback for the Spartans. He stepped in against both the Cornhuskers and Bruins and played well, all things considered. 

“I think Alessio's gotten into the game and showed some good signs,” Smith said. “We do have confidence in one, his capabilities, and his preparation, that kind of thing.”

Additionally, Smith noted that defensive lineman Ben Roberts, edge rusher Jalen Thompson and safety Nikai Martinez didn’t play on Saturday but could be active this weekend. None are long-term injuries, Smith said.

Sherrone Moore 'feels good' about Justice Haynes playing vs. Washington

Based on Sherrone Moore’s postgame comments after losing to USC, the injury that Haynes sustained early in the game against the Trojans isn’t a serious ailment. 

And the Michigan head coach kept an optimistic tone on Monday, saying he “feels good” about Haynes’ chance to play on Saturday against Washington in Michigan Stadium.  

During his postgame remarks against USC, Moore said Haynes could’ve returned to the game but the coaching and medical staff opted for precaution. Jordan Marshall handled the load as the Wolverines’ lead back and Moore said the game plan didn’t change with the injury. 

Haynes left Michigan’s loss at USC on Saturday with an apparent injury to the left side of his torso around the bottom of his rib cage. Trainers appeared to be working on his left side around the rib and abdominal area, and the running back was shown on the broadcast going to the locker room before halftime. 

He came back out for the second half in pads and was never ruled out.

Getting Haynes back in any capacity would be big for the Wolverines, as he’s been the best and most consistent offensive threat. 

EMU 'hopeful' to have WR Terry Lockett, RB Tavierre Dunlap back

The Eagles have a major road test looming this week, as Eastern Michigan heads south to face Miami (OH), 2-0 in the MAC and looking to compete again for a MAC title. 

And two key offensive weapons, wideout Terry Lockett and running back Tavierre Dunlap, are both up in the air for their status on Saturday. 

“We are hopeful for both of those guys this week,” head coach Chris Creighton said on Monday.

Lockett suffered an injury prior to the Buffalo game and did not play against the Bulls, and also sat out Saturday’s win against Northern Illinois.

Dunlap played against the Bulls, but like Lockett didn’t dress out against the Huskies. 

Dunlap has been a key complement to Dontae McMillan in the backfield, and it fell to Joey Mattord and James Jointer Jr. to fill in his production against NIU. Dunlap has 240 yards and three touchdowns this season. The Eagles also have begun to use quarterback Noah Kim a bit more often in the running game. 

And Lockett, arguably the Eagles best receiver, is still leading the team in receiving yards despite missing the last two games. He’s still second on the team with 19 receptions, too. 

Eastern Michigan’s found passing production elsewhere with tight end Joshua Long and wideouts Porter Rooks, Benson Prosper and Nick Devereaux, but Lockett coming back would be a boon.