Rod Moore, Michigan's team captain and one of the most reliable defenders, is still recovering from multiple knee procedures and is not expected to play when the Wolverines face No. 18 Oklahoma on Saturday.
Moore has not played since Michigan’s victory over Washington in the 2024 national championship game, when he tore his ACL. The senior safety also underwent surgery in March to repair both his ACL and meniscus in his left knee.
Michigan is expected to be without safety Rod Moore on Saturday against Oklahoma, sources tell @On3sports.
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) September 6, 2025
Sherrone Moore put Moore's status as questionable earlier this week. The All-Big Ten safety missed the entire 2024 season with an ACL injury. https://t.co/r6zJfrvRwy pic.twitter.com/XbToE5cXd1
While cleared to participate in practice, his official return remains uncertain.
“Rod is, I’d say, questionable,” head coach Sherrone Moore said earlier this week. “Possible. We’ll see how he feels.”
Moore, who has been voted captain for a second consecutive year, has said the decision on when to return ultimately rests with him. He told reporters he can run and jump without issues and wants to play when he is fully confident in his leg.
“I tried to do a PRP injection and then that didn’t work, so I was just like, what else is there to do? I gotta fix it now. So now, I mean, the ACL is 100% good. I’m just working back from meniscus surgery right now,” Moore explained.
Teammates have noticed progress, but no guarantees.
“I see him running outside so I feel like he’s doing better,” cornerback Zeke Berry said. “I’m not really sure if he’s going to be ready or not, but we’ll see.”
If Moore cannot go, TJ Metcalf and Brandyn Hillman are in line to take snaps at safety. The Wolverines will need strong play in the secondary against Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, who threw for 392 yards and three touchdowns in the Sooners’ opener.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.