Michigan linebacker David Ojabo suffered an Achilles rupture during a professional day practice at school, a team source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Saturday.
Doctors expect Ojabo’s recovery timeline to be similar to that of Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers, who tore his Achilles in July and returned to the game about six months later, Schefter said. Because of this, Ohabo could miss several weeks of the 2022 regular season.
Ojabo, who is ranked by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. as the No. 1 outside linebacker in the 2022 NFL Draft and who was selected in the first round, needed the help of his coaches to leave the field after he suffered an injury. on the left leg on Friday.
“He was wincing in pain,” Michigan teammate Aidan Hutchinson said Friday. “I hope he’s all right.
This 2021 season was a breakthrough for Ojabo, who finished second with the Wolverines in sacks (11) and losses (12) behind Hutchinson, who is also predicted to be a first-round pick. Ojabo saw his draft roster grow throughout the season and helped the Wolverines reach the college football playoffs for the first time by winning the Big Ten championship.
Ojabo was born in Nigeria and raised in Scotland. He started playing football in the United States just a few years before coming to Michigan.
“I’m praying for him and I hope this isn’t something long-term or something that will affect his project margin,” Hutchinson said.
This report used information from Tom VanHaren of ESPN and The Associated Press.