Michigan's Drake Johnson: Hopeful to play Saturday

Coach Jim Harbaugh is optimistic that Johnson (undisclosed) will play Saturday against Illinois, Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Analysis:

Johnson has been sidelined for the first three weeks of Michigan's season with an undisclosed injury. Harbaugh indicated that Johnson's injury is a "soft tissue" problem that he sustained in a bizarre forklift accident during the offseason. More updates on his injury will be revealed come closer to game day, and if Johnson returns on Saturday, he's likely to resume his role behind starter De'Veon Smith.