Rod Moore, Hogan Hansen injury updates: Sherrone Moore shares latest for Week 1

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore revealed the latest on DB Rod Moore and TE Hogan Hansen regarding their injury recovery. He doesn’t want to rush either guy.

With the season opener against New Mexico just five days away, it remains to be seen if both guys will suit up and play. Hansen’s expected to contribute to the offense while Rod Moore is a key piece in the secondary.

“We’ll see,” Moore said. “They’re trending really well. Both those guys are. Hogan has practiced, Rod has practiced, but we’re not going to rush if we don’t need to. Make sure to take it on their time and the doctor’s time. They’re both in a good place, so we’ll see.”

Rod Moore enters his fourth season with Michigan and has 141 tackles to his name. He also has three tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, six interceptions and seven pass deflections.

Hansen appeared in 10 games last season and was a modest contributor on offense. He had seven catches for 78 yards and a touchdown as a freshman. 

Rod Moore is part of a loaded defense that has depth everywhere. Sherrone Moore noted that many guys could start at any given moment.

“The defense is another story,” the head coach said. “There’s just so many guys that could play. You don’t blink if this guy’s out there versus this guy’s out there. We’re going to roll guys. There’s going to be a lot of different numbers, different people out there. 

“Defensive tackle, there’s going to be five or six or seven guys that can play at once. Nickel, it’s going to be interchangeable. I think that’s still working itself out as we go through the week of different guys that will play in different situations.”

While Rod Moore and Hansen are key players to watch out for once they are back, all of the hype is on freshman QB Bryce Underwood. Sherrone Moore knows he has to make his quarterback comfortable to further the development.

“Within the gameplan, you’re always going to try to make sure he doesn’t do too much and make sure whatever it is we need to do to win, that’s what we’re going to do,” he said. “But as far as the media piece, he’s dealt with media his whole life. I think since he’s been 14 years old, he’s been one of the best players around, best player in his neighborhood.

“He’s pretty humble, but he’s confident. You like a confident guy. But when he’s around his teammates, he’s as humble, as hardworking as anybody you’ve ever been around. That’s all we’re going to do: Just make sure we take care of him all game days.”