Justice Haynes Injury Shocker: Will Michigan’s Star Running Back Return This Season?

Justice Haynes, Michigan’s standout junior transfer running back from Alabama, won’t be hitting the turf this Saturday against Maryland — a tough pill to swallow for Wolverines fans as the team gears up for its final road test this season . Still rehabbing a nagging foot injury sustained late in the heated Michigan State clash, Haynes is expected to sit out, possibly for the remainder of the regular season . His absence leaves a glaring hole in a team that had high hopes for him to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark — a milestone within reach before the setback . With the Wolverines reeling to fill that void, the spotlight shifts to backups like Jordan Marshall and Bryson Kuzdzal, but uncertainty hangs in the air. This twist underscores just how thin the margins are between triumph and struggle in college football — where one injury can reshape the entire narrative . For those keen on the full rundown and what’s next for Michigan’s ground game, here’s the scoop. LEARN MORE

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Justice Haynes, Michigan football’s junior transfer running back from Alabama, will not suit up for the No. 17 Wolverines (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten) on Saturday, Nov. 22, against Maryland (5-5, 1-6 Big Ten) in the final road game of the season.

In fact, he’s not even expected to travel with the team for the contest as he continues to rehab “every day.”

Haynes injured his right foot late in U-M’s 31-20 victory over rival Michigan State in East Lansing. He ran 26 times for 152 yards and two scores that day, but is not expected to take the field again in the regular season, according to coach Sherrone Moore.

“We’ll see as the doctors go,” Moore said at Schembechler Hall earlier in the week. “Done for the year, wouldn’t put him in that category … but yeah probably [done for the regular season].”

Haynes had a procedure on his foot shortly after Michigan’s 21-16 victory over Purdue when he was seen riding a scooter on the sideline. Haynes has been a star for U-M in his first season in Ann Arbor, setting new career marks in carries (121), rushing yards (857), yards per carry (7.1) and touchdowns (10). In the six games he finished, he has amassed at least 100 yards rushing and a touchdown.

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It seemed like Haynes was all but guaranteed to be Michigan football’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Blake Corum in 2023. With four games left to play, he needed less than 150 yards. It now seems all but certain he won’t reach that mark.

The Wolverines have turned to Jordan Marshall in his absence, but he reportedly is a true game time decision against the Terrapins after leaving last week’s 24-22 victory over Northwestern early with a shoulder injury.

If Marshall can’t go, it will be a heavy diet of Bryson Kuzdzal. True freshman Jasper Parker will also get some run.

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: Justice Haynes injury update, is Michigan football RB out for season?