According to reports from the Detroit News, the Michigan football team has lost senior cornerback Troy Woolfolk to a dislocated ankle and a broken fibula, which he sustained in practice yesterday. It's quite likely that the Wolverines' team leader and lone experienced defensive back will be out for the year.

And today, there isn't any news regarding who will replace him.

The defensive backfield was already widely considered to be the area of the team that could least afford a serious loss even before Woolfolk’s injury yesterday — especially considering the departure of Justin Turner on August 11.

Offensive coordinator Calvin Magee met with the media on Wednesday and said he wasn't sure what the team will do to replace Woolfolk.

"That's Coach Rod's decision," Magee said. "We do have an awful lot of guys who can play multiple positions, but that's something we've been doing anyway, especially on offense."

Woolfolk had 46 total tackles last year while splitting time between safety and cornerback. With Woolfolk out, the most experienced cornerback on the roster now would be J.T. Floyd, a redshirt sophomore. Tony Anderson, a junior walk-on, has seen limited playing time but could be asked to step in.

After him, there are three freshmen, Cullen Christian, Courtney Avery and Terrence Talbott, who will most likely be forced to play a bigger role than anticipated.

The injury is not only a tremendous blow to Michigan's secondary but also a blow to Woolfolk, who said at Big Ten Media Day a couple weeks ago that he was extremely motivated to return Michigan to football prominence.

"For us to not have as much respect as we used to, it's just humbling," Woolfolk said. "And it makes us hungrier to try to maintain the success that we once had."

Quarterback update: Regarding the competition under center, it's the same story, different day.

Magee also denied that sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson had seen any reps at other positions.

After photos taken by the Big Ten Network showed freshman Tate Forcier practicing with a wingless helmet, Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez confirmed to multiple media outlets on Monday that the team was using the winged helmets as a motivational tool. Players had to earn their wings, and those who didn't would practice with wingless helmets.

Rodriguez didn't mention any players who haven't earned their wings by name, but he said the players who haven't need to recognize the privilege of playing for Michigan.

“Certainly, we want everybody who runs down that tunnel on Sept. 4 ... to be wearing a winged helmet," Rodriguez told multiple media outlets. "And in order to run down that tunnel, you’ve got to appreciate that privilege to play here. And I think all of them will. But if they don’t, they won’t wear that helmet.”

Magee said that Forcier has responded well in the wake of the wingless helmet conversation.

"Tate's been competing and playing," Magee said. "They're all competing. They all understand what's at stake for the team."

An experienced offensive line: At the beginning of the season last year, the offensive line looked like it was finally starting to gel.

But soon thereafter then-redshirt sophomore David Molk was lost for the season. The ensuing shuffle on the offensive line led to inconsistent play and confusion, and the line was never the same.

This year, with most of the starters from last year back, the offensive line will look to pick up where it left off at the beginning of last year.

"The line in general has gotten more experienced," Magee said. "They've got a lot of games under them right now. Seeing every front, every twist, so naturally they're going to get better."

With Stephen Schilling being a senior, Molk being a redshirt junior and Patrick Omameh being a redshirt sophomore, the interior of the line has plenty of experience.

The experience will certainly help this year, but Magee said the linemen have been helping off the field as well.

"They've been leaders, kind of helping the younger guys along," Magee said.