According to Jim Harbaugh, junior defensive end Aidan Hutchinson will require surgery on his leg for a fracture.
Although Harbaugh did not specify a timetable, Hutchinson is presumably out for the season.
Hutchinson suffered the injury early in the first quarter on Indiana’s first drive. He was attempting to bring Hoosiers quarterback Michael Penix down after a pass. Hutchinson eventually walked off under his own power but was later shown on TV in street clothes with a boot on his right leg, sitting with his mom.
With Hutchinson out, Michigan’s defense will take a significant hit, as Hutchinson was one of the best players on a defense that has struggled early. On Saturday, Hutchinson was replaced at defensive end by senior Luiji Vilain.
Hutchinson is a potential draft pick for 2021. If he chooses to return to school, he would have two years of eligibility remaining as 2020 does not count against eligibility for any player.
“He’s worked so hard, he’s put so much into it and playing really good but I know he’ll come back stronger, faster, better,” Harbaugh said. “Just the way he is, he’s so high drive that this is not something that’s gonna be a detriment to his career. He’s young, he’ll heal fast and he’ll come back even better and stronger and faster.”
Harbaugh did not have an update on junior tackle Jalen Mayfield, who has a high ankle sprain, according to the Detroit Free Press, or junior tackle Ryan Hayes, who did not travel to Indiana because of an undisclosed injury.