Rod Moore talks about injury and possible return in 2024

Rod Moore has put his dream of playing in the NFL on hold for another year in Ann Arbor, a year he says he had marked on the calendar. According to Moore, this was supposed to be the year to show who he really is as a player. But due to a season-ending injury he suffered in the spring, the veteran defensive back will spend most – if not all – of the 2024 season showing who he is as a coach.

During a meeting with the media on Thursday, Moore gave a little insight into his injury and all the emotions that come with it.

“It was a specialty drill and I was running down,” Moore said. “Someone was coming at me full speed and I was trying to slow down. And I just stopped and it felt weird. I was like, 'What was that?' I tried to bring my leg back down and it gave way. Then they took me for an MRI and it showed a torn ACL.

“I'm not going to lie, I cried. This season was really on the cards, I had my eye on it. It was a season where I really wanted to come out and show who I am as a player. Especially as a leader. It was tough at first. I would say it probably took me a month to really realize that I'm in this situation, I have to deal with it and move on. Since then, it's been great. I went to California for a couple of weeks to rehab, which was really good for me. Especially to get away, get my mind off football a little bit and then come back and refocus. Since then, it's been good.”

As for a timeline for his return, Moore couldn't give any specifics. But even without a timeline, he remains confident that a return as a player in 2024 is still possible. For now, he'll do whatever he can from a coaching perspective.

“I think it could be both players and coach Rod,” Moore said when asked about the possibility of a return this year. “We'll see how it goes in the future on the player side. But right now, it's coach Rod. He's got to keep pushing the guys and keep looking forward from there.”

“I'm fine, the recovery is going well. Physically I just have to attack every day. My leg is getting stronger, as you can see I can walk quite well.”

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