Shoulder Injury To Sideline Johnson Saturday

Bloomington – A shoulder injury will sideline one of the Hoosiers’ key defensive reserves Saturday against Michigan.

Indiana University released its final pre-game injury report Friday, and 6’0”, 249-pound sophomore defensive end Darius Johnson has been ruled out of the Big Ten opener. He’s one of four players who will be unable to play along with fellow defensive ends Fred Jones (foot) and Kyle Kozak (shoulder) as well as offensive lineman Alex Perry (knee).

Johnson has been one of the Hoosiers’ most productive defensive reserves during the season’s first three weeks with eight tackles, one sack and one pass broken up. His absence depletes an already thin group of defensive ends thanks to the injuries to Jones and Kozak. Junior Deonte Mack, who has recently been moved from defensive tackle to defensive end, could be in line to be the team’s third defensive end behind starters Greg Middleton and Jammie Kirlew.

A native of Detroit, this was to mark Johnson’s first chance to play in his home state.

Besides Johnson’s absence, the Hoosiers are in good shape from an injury standpoint. Back-up linebacker Chad Sherer (hamstring) is the only player listed as questionable. Cornerback Donnell Jones (hamstring), running back Zach Davis-Walker (shoulder), and offensive linemen Justin Pagan (ankle), James Brewer (ankle) and Cody Faulkner (shoulder) are all listed as probable.