Michigan will need explosive plays against one of the nation’s top defenses in the Citrus Bowl.

Unfortunately for the Wolverines, there’s a chance that they’ll be without their most explosive playmaker.

Jim Harbaugh addressed the media on Saturday and said that Jabrill Peppers is dealing with an injury and that he’s not sure if he’ll be able to play in the Citrus Bowl.

Harbaugh declined to get into specifics of the injury. The All-B1G safety wasn’t believed to be hurt when Michigan took on Ohio State and Peppers played half a dozen different positions.

According to the Michigan Daily, Peppers was seen on campus wearing a cast on his hand. Whether or not that’s the injury Harbaugh was referring to remains to be seen.

If the Wolverines were to be without Peppers, it would be a major loss in all three phases. On defense, he broke up 10 passes and played three different positions (safety, nickel, corner). On offense, he scored two touchdowns and became a more prominent contributor as a runner and pass-catcher down the stretch. On special teams, he returned punts and kicks.

It would certainly be a tough loss against a Florida defense that allowed the sixth fewest yards among FBS teams.

Peppers will still have three weeks to get healthy for the Jan. 1 showdown in Orlando.