Wink Martindale provides injury update on Michigan's Mason Graham and Rayshaun Benny

Michigan brings one of the best defensive lines in all of college football into 2024, but a few key players on the Wolverines' front line are not 100 percent after the Wolverines' fall training camp.

On the radio show “Inside Michigan Football” on Monday night, the defensive coordinator said: Wink Martindale revealed that preseason All-American Defensive Tackle Mason Graham was “injured in training camp.” Martindale also said redshirt junior DT Rayshaun Benny is still working on his recovery from a foot injury sustained in the Wolverines' Rose Bowl victory over Alabama on Jan. 1.

“It's been a tough battle for him,” Martindale said. “It's been tough for him and I think he's still working on it. The more confidence he gains despite his injury, the better he's going to play.”

“But he's still shaking off some rust. He'll have some good days and then he'll get sore and do stuff like that and we'll have to back him off a little bit and then push him again to get him back up to speed. Is he 100 percent now? I don't think so. But he's good enough to play, don't get me wrong.”

Graham, a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2023, recorded 35 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks last season. Benny, on the other hand, was a key part of Michigan's rotation as a defensive tackle, recording 27 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and one sack.

While Michigan has the same depth on defense as last season, the Wolverines should still be strong on the inside, even as Graham and Benny slowly return to full recovery. Junior Kenneth Grant He is expected to have a great season in his first full year as a starter and Martindale paid him the highest compliments on Monday.

“Grant, the last 10 days you could really see him getting in shape because I always tell him the only way you get in shape is to play football,” Martindale said. “You can do all the things we have down there. [with the strength and conditioning staff] — and they do a great job down there — and you can pass the conditioning test… you have to put the pads on and play football. Then you get in football shape. He really popped out of it.”

Three other players who were praised for their performances on the defensive line during fall camp are redshirt freshmen Enow EttaSecond year student Trey piece and Redshirt Junior Ike Iwunnah.

“I think Enow will surprise some people,” Martindale said. “I think Ike will surprise some people. Trey Pierce has been getting injured throughout training camp. Once we get him going, I think he'll surprise some people. He'll be fun to watch. That's the exciting thing about being a coach: seeing some of these younger guys start to step up and get ready to play.”

Michigan opens its 2024 season on Saturday (August 31) and hosts Fresno State at the Big House in Ann Arbor (7:30 p.m./NBC).

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