The health for Michigan football could be worse coming out of the bye, but the Wolverines are far from full strength.
The Wolverines will be without both starters on the right side of the offensive line, with tackle Andrew Sprague and guard Brady Norton both listed as out, for the Week 7 matchup with Penn State on Saturday, Oct. 16 (3:30 p.m., CBS). Sprague's absence was expected − coach Kyle Whittingham said it will be some time before he comes back this season, if he's able to at all.
Norton, meanwhile, was listed as questionable all week. In one practice clip posted by Michigan on social media earlier this week, Avery Gach appeared to be working at right guard next to Blake Frazier, who moved a month ago from the left side to the right to replace Sprague.
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Norton is one of U-M's most versatile linemen, able to play guard or tackle.
To make matters worse, starting center Jake Guarnera – U-M's most consistent lineman in a disappointing group in Year 1 under coach Jim Harding – is listed as a game-time decision. He spoke with media on Tuesday, which generally is a sign things are trending up. But being listed as a game-time decision, as opposed to "questionable," could indicate a setback.
If Guarnera can't go, it will likely be Nebraska transfer Houston Ka'aha'aina-Torres at center.
Left guard Nathan Efobi, who was listed as probable all week long, has been taken off the report and is good to go.
In non-OL updates, tight end Zack Marshall – who was not listed on the report this week –has been listed as "out" for the game. That could be related to the headlines he made last week, when his messages in a private chat slamming offensive coordinator Jason Beck were leaked.
"We have an extra OL on the field every play and run different versions of power read every play 🤡," Marshall wrote. "Also Beck tells Bryce [Underwood] where to go on every play and it gets strapped. Bryce is a good qb, Beck is a problem."
He later apologized publicly and coach Kyle Whittingham said he addressed it with the team, but Marshall's absence against the Nittany Lions is notable given the timing.
Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football availability report: Multiple OL starters out vs Penn State