ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan DT Kris Jenkins has been playing through a high-ankle sprain for the better part of Big Ten play, defensive line coach Mike Elston revealed Wednesday.
Jenkins played limited snaps on Oct. 21 against Michigan State, and though he hasn’t missed any games, Elston tabbed the injury as the reason for his dip in production.
“What you don’t realize about Kris is — I can’t remember which game it was, maybe the Minnesota game when Mason came back — he suffered a high ankle sprain,” Elston said. “And so he’s been really dealing with that. He hasn’t been moving as well. He’s been fighting through it. I mean, he’s a warrior and hasn’t missed a day, hasn’t missed a practice, hasn’t missed anything. He’s battled through that, so his production is down a little bit. But he’s an incredible leader, and he goes out there and he executes.”
A captain who returned to Michigan in 2023 despite some significant NFL interest, Jenkins has 22 tackles, 1.5 sacks and an interception this fall. He has appeared in 39 career games with 27 starts on the defensive line through four years in Ann Arbor.
This season, he has helped lead a U-M defense that ranks among the nation’s best in most major categories including scoring defense (1st), passing defense (1st) and total defense (1st). The Wolverines have allowed the second-fewest plays of 10-plus yards in the country and are the best red-zone defense in college football.
With a Big Ten East-deciding showdown against Ohio State approaching, Elston said Jenkins is nearing full health.
“I think that his best games are out in front of him right now,” Elston said. “As we were grading the film yesterday from practice, I typed in one of the practice notes: ‘He’s back,’ because he had such a great play.
“You’ll see a healthier Kris moving forward, and I believe that the production will be there as it has been in the past.”
Jenkins and the Wolverines face Taulia Tagovailoa and Maryland on Saturday at noon.
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