http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/inde...drake_joh.html
ANN ARBOR -- Earlier this week, Jim Harbaugh indicated that he was cautiously optimistic about the chances of getting junior running back Drake Johnson back on the field this week against Oregon State.
On Thursday, speaking with 97.1-FM's "The Stoney and Bill Show," Harbaugh was asked about Johnson's availability again.
He didn't come out and say Johnson will be back, but his optimism certainly remained.
"There's a possibility he could see action as early as this week," Harbaugh said.
The 6-foot-1, 207-pound Johnson -- an Ann Arbor native -- suffered the second anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee last November during a loss at Ohio State.
He did not participate in spring practice, and was limited for a portion of fall camp -- but received clearance to return to the field the week before Michigan opened its season last Thursday at Utah.
Harbaugh explained earlier this week that Johnson may have been able to fully return a month ago, but the team's medical staff wanted to be extra sure about Johnson's knee -- especially considering he's already had two major surgeries performed.
Michigan started running back De'Veon Smith last week against Utah, with Ty Isaac serving as his primary backup. The team struggled to run the ball, generating just 79 yards on 29 carries.
Johnson was Michigan's most efficient back a year ago in terms of production, even if his sample size was smaller. He ran for 361 yards on 60 carries (4 touchdowns) with most of his production coming during the season's final four games.
"Drake's a football player," Harbaugh said of Johnson this morning. "He is a football player."
Other Harbaugh snippets from this morning:
• On Jake Rudock handling critics: "Jake's got a thick skin, he understands competition and playing the position. It's not his first time playing in a major college football game. He understands ... what are you talking about, people's perception? ... Yeah, I'm mainly concerned about what his teammates and coaches are saying. (The opinion of) pundits and so-called experts -- that's irrelevant as it relates to our team."
• On coaches getting after players in film study after the Utah game: "'Called out,' I don't recall them using those words. It's what you do when you teach. You tell them what they did right, you tell them what they did wrong. You let them ... that's coaching. That's teaching. ... Tell someone how to do it, what to do and then they do it."
• On Jabrill Peppers vs. Utah: "Of all the players on our team, he played the most amount of snaps. Had the most work in the game, the most contribution in terms of plays -- with both defense and special teams. He made good decisions as a returner, had a fine kickoff return and fielded the ball well as a punt returner. He had presence in the secondary and that'll be our goal this week. To tackle even better and see if we can't get our hands on some balls, pass breakups, tipped balls, interceptions."
• On his affinity for Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald": "I like that song, it tells a story. ... It's a good song, isn't it? Who doesn't like that song? It's a real toe-tapper, I've caught myself humming it many a time."
• On helmet stickers: "I've always felt you should try to get the best grades, win the most awards and excel at sports. (They're) an award. So try to win the most awards."
Jim Harbaugh listens to The Wreck
