Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed previous reports Tuesday of an injury to quarterback J.J. McCarthy and said due to arm soreness, the Wolverines will not have him throw the duration of spring practice. Surgery is not on the table at this time, according to Harbaugh, via The Michigan Insider.
“J.J.’s practicing, just not throwing,” Harbaugh said. TMI’s Sam Webb confirmed McCarthy’s injury situation through sources this week (VIP) and shot down rumors of surgery being scheduled, as Harbaugh noted.
McCarthy, a sophomore, was expected to compete with incumbent starter Cade McNamara for first-team reps this spring. McNamara appeared in 14 games last season, completing 64.2% of his passes for 2,576 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. McCarthy played in 11 games and finished with 516 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions.
Last month prior to the start of spring drills, Harbaugh spoke on his upcoming quarterback competition.
“Like you go at any position, you know, we’re going to play the best players,” Harbaugh said. “And the question comes back, ‘Well how do we know who the best players are?’ Because they play the best. You know, really that simple. And if it’s, you know, one is clearly, one will clearly be, you know, the starter, and could be the way we did it last year where they’re splitting time.
