Michigan tight end Mike Massey will miss the rest of the season after sustaining a knee injury in the third quarter of Saturday's 28-16 win over Northwestern.

The senior will undergo surgery this week, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said during his weekly press conference yesterday afternoon.

"Massey was a wonderful competitor, a guy that brought a lot to our team," Carr said. "He was outstanding on our special teams, and he'd done a great job at tight end. We're going to miss him."

Although Massey caught just four passes this season, his absence creates problems for an offense that frequently uses two tight-end sets. Likely replacement Carson Butler provides more of a receiving threat, but the team will still need help from that position.

Yesterday's depth chart listed redshirt sophomores Butler and Chris McLaurin as possible starters with converted fullback Andre Criswell at third string. Carr also mentioned freshman Martell Webb could see more playing time.

"We have some guys who are not as experienced, obviously, as Mike was, but they are all guys we can depend on as a team," Carr said.

As for other injuries, Carr remained tight-lipped. He said he wouldn't know until today about the right guard situation or the status of starting linebackers John Thompson and Chris Graham.

But the depth chart might provide a clue. At right guard, third-stringer Tim McAcoy - who left Saturday's game early - was still listed as the starter. Both Thompson, who didn't dress Saturday, and Graham, who also left the game early, graced the depth chart as starters.

Special changes?: Kicker Jason Gingell has done everything to prove he's an excellent kicker in practice. Too bad he hasn't done the same in games.

With Gingell just 3-for-9 on the year, Carr said he will give K.C. Lopata a shot to win the position this week in practice. Although sophomore kickoff specialist Bryan Wright was also listed as a possibility on the depth chart, Carr didn't mention his name during his press conference.

Gingell has struggled since his two blocked field goals - neither necessarily his fault - helped Appalachian State upset Michigan. He has missed his last three attempts and booted two wide right against Northwestern.

Carr said he believes Gingell's confidence is the issue.

"I have all the confidence in Gingell, and yet at every stage in (a player's) career, there are guys who struggle," Carr said. "You just have to dig deep and find a way to get your way out of it. As coaches and as teammates, we'll try to help him do that."

Summer school blues: A Big Ten rule preventing early entrants from using summer-school grades to boost their first-semester grade point average cost freshman safety Artis Chambers his season, his high school coach said.

Along with two other freshmen, Chambers enrolled at Michigan in the winter semester to join the team for spring practice. But because of Chambers's first-semester grade point average, Michigan tried to count summer-school classes toward his GPA.

Although NCAA rules allow the use of summer-school grades toward eligibility, the Big Ten does not, Fort Wayne (Ind.) Snider coach Russ Isaacs said.

"It's sad for everybody. It's unfortunate," Isaacs said. "I don't know (if) anybody's at fault - just a misunderstanding."

Michigan reported the violation to the Big Ten Thursday, immediately after catching it, Athletic Director Bill Martin said. The conference's Compliance and Reinstatement Subcommittee will make a decision about any penalties - including a possible forfeit of the Penn State game - within the next two weeks.

Carr would not comment on the situation yesterday.

Who might replace him?

Chris McLaurin:

The redshirt sophomore came to Michigan as a linebacker but moved to tight end before the start of last season. The majority of his playing time has come on special teams.

Carson Butler:

Buter has had to work his way back on the team after legal troubles last season. The redshirt sophomore definitely has the ability to become a viable option in the Michigan passing game.