The bye week wasn't a magic wand for Michigan football but it certainly helped with just two players listed as "out" who aren't lost for the season.
The bye week wasn't a magic wand for Michigan football but it certainly helped.
After having 21 players on the availability report the last time the Wolverines took the field, Sherrone Moore's team enters its homecoming game against Wisconsin in much better shape with just 11 players on the pregame list the team provides to the Big Ten Conference.
There's a new designation on the report "out for the season" of which the Wolverines have six such players: OL Andrew Babalola, WR I'Marion Stewart, RB Donovan Johnson, LB Jaydon Hood, WR Devon Baxter and WR C.J. Charleston.
The only two players listed as "out" are QB Davis Warren and running back Micah Ka'apana.
The most notable players taken off the list are defensive backs Zeke Berry and Rod Moore which seems to indicate both are ready to be full go against the Badgers. Moore returned last time out against Nebraska for his first game since the 2024 national championship, but was on a snap count, playing fewer than 25 snaps. He will likely be somewhat limited vs. Wisconsin, but figures to play more than that.
Berry, meanwhile, has not played since he left the second half of U-M's Week 2 game against Oklahoma. The starting defensive back should be back in the starting lineup for Jayden Sanders, a true freshman who impressed during his time filling in. Both will likely play.
U-M does have three key players listed as "questionable" however, with starting guards Gio El-Hadi and Brady Norton both under that designation, as well as one of the team's top tight ends in Hogan Hansen. Earlier in the week, Moore said all three were trending in the right direction, but the team wouldn't know until later in the week.
Notably, Wisconsin will be without starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (Maryland transfer) which will mean it is once against Danny O'Neil under center for Luke Fickell's team.
The Wolverines used their off week as a chance to get healthy and this is likely the best shape the team has been in overall this season, which includes the season-opener against New Mexico just more than a month ago.
Michigan availability vs. Wisconsin
Michigan football availability report vs. Wisconsin.
— Tony Garcia | Detroit Free Press (@RealTonyGarcia) October 4, 2025
Of note: Wisconsin starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. has been ruled OUT as well. It will be Danny O'Neil for the Badgers. pic.twitter.com/tUBUjvkQD9
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football availability: Largely healed up vs. Wisconsin
Category: General Sports
