Michigan without 2 key offensive linemen for showdown with Indiana

The Michigan offense will be down two key pieces for the showdown against Indiana.

Coming off of a brutal loss and lackluster showing against Michigan State, the Wolverines are facing off against Indiana in Week 3. Jim Harbaugh’s squad enters the showdown as slight favorites, but the absence of two linemen could be pivotal.

Michigan will be without Jalen Mayfield and Ryan Hayes for Week 3 due to injury. Those two players are especially impactful as the starting offensive tackles for the Wolverines:

Michigan's offensive starting five, per warmups (left to right): Stueber, Zinter, Vastardis, Filiaga, Barnhart.

Per a Wolverines spokesperson, Jalen Mayfield and Ryan Hayes did not travel due to injury.

— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) November 7, 2020

That's the Wolverines' starting right and left tackle.

IU is without its starting left guard.

Battle in the trenches just got a whole lot more interesting, on both sides. #iufb https://t.co/zKmT6UZjXW

— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) November 7, 2020

A further update was provided on Mayfield with Orion Sang of the Detroit Free Press reporting Mayfield is day-to-day due to a high ankle sprain. There remains hope that Mayfield will be available in Week 4 against Wisconsin:

Jalen Mayfield has a high ankle sprain and is not playing against Indiana today. He is "day to day," according to his father, Brian. Could be back next week against Wisconsin or against Rutgers.

— Orion Sang (@orion_sang) November 7, 2020