For the second consecutive week, it appears that the Michigan Wolverines will lose a key piece of their undefeated squad for the season due to injury. During a dominant win over Penn State, starting defensive back Jeremy Clark suffered an ACL tear and, on Saturday against Wisconsin, Michigan's starting left tackle, Grant Newsome, left the game with a knee injury that appears to be serious.
After the game, Jim Harbaugh had this to say (via MLive.com):
"It doesn't look good. He was blocking on the edge and, what he told me, was he got cut right at his knee — I don't know if it was a helmet or what it was.
"But yeah (I think) a surgical procedure will be needed."
Harbaugh's willingness to speak about Newsome's ailment likely outlines a very serious injury, as the head coach is well known for refusing to disclose injury information. After Newsome, who played quite effectively this season, left the contest, the Wolverines deployed redshirt sophomore Juwann Bushell-Beatty at the left tackle position.
Though it should be noted that Newsome isn't considered one of Michigan's best linemen, this remains a significant loss given the uncertainty of Bushell-Beatty's performance in protecting Wilton Speight's blind side. More information will likely arrive later in the week, but it looks like the Wolverines will move forward shorthanded up front.
