Michigan Wolverines

Michigan running game could get boost from Johnson's return

Published Sep. 9, 2015 6:09 p.m. ET

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Michigan had three players -- De'Veon Smith, Derrick Green and Ty Isaac -- vying for playing time throughout most of spring practice and preseason camp, but none of them did much to stand out in the Wolverines' season-opening loss at Utah.

Could Drake Johnson make a difference? 

Coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters in Ann Arbor this week the junior is getting close to completing his return from a knee injury suffered in 2014 season finale. 

“Yeah, we’re going to evaluate that as the week goes on," Harbaugh said via a transcript from MGoBlog. "Drake’s in really good communication with the doctors, (and) the doctors are in really good communication with him. Cautiously feeling pretty good where we’re at right now and we’ll see what happens during the week.” 

Johnson moved into the starting lineup late last season and ended up with 361 yards and four touchdowns on 60 carries. 

Smith was the leading rusher with 519 yards and six touchdowns while Green and 471 yards and three TDs in only six games before suffering a season-ending injury. Isaac sat out as a transfer from USC. 

Harbaugh said the Wolverines will use all of their options that are available against Oregon State this week and throughout the season, and he had some good things to say about Smith, who ran for 47 yards on 17 carries against the Utes. 

"I thought De’Veon ran extremely hard," Harbaugh said. "He took the brunt of some missed assignments." 

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