The ongoing Michigan vs Washington game has hit the Wolverines hard. First off, team officials listed star running back Justice Haynes as questionable due to a lingering midsection injury he faced against USC last week. Now this one’s a big blow for the Wolverines, as Haynes was averaging 7.4 yards per carry. His stat line boasts an impressive 705 yards on 95 carries and 8 touchdowns. So now the offensive load falls completely on Bryce Underwood and how he connects with backup Jordan Marshall.

But the in-game woes continue as Michigan offensive tackle Evan Link was carted off the field, facing a season-ending injury. Link went down with what looked like a leg injury with 5:59 left in the quarter. It happened right after quarterback Bryce Underwood hit tight end Zack Marshall with a pass. Staff put him on a stretcher as he showed clear frustration and then carted him off to the Michigan locker room for evaluation. Michigan fans didn’t stop showing their support for the offensive tackle who has started all 6 games for the Wolverines this season.

Link had the huge responsibility of protecting Bryce Underwood’s blindside. He’s the guy who makes sure Underwood has a clean pocket to throw from, blocking those relentless defensive ends and edge rushers. Link had a rollercoaster journey as the Wolverines’ right tackle last year. But this year, he transitioned to the left side. It’s where he played in high school, which has reignited his confidence and brought new juice to the line. So what’s the difference? “A lot different, it’s a lot more confidence, Link said.

“I think it personally and in the whole unit as a whole. I think I have more confidence in our abilities as well, too. So, I’d say it’s night and day, really.” Evan’s exodus leaves a major hole in Michigan’s O-Line. He was making an impact this season which cannot be ignored. Link crushed it with his blocking grades in Week 1 and did pretty solid in Week 2 against Oklahoma. After he went down, redshirt freshman Blake Frazier stepped in to take his spot. Frazier’s been in all six of Michigan’s games this season and has even made a few starts as an extra lineman.

The Michigan fans didn’t let Link’s contribution to the field slide by. As staff carted Link off the field, all the Michigan fans stood up and applauded him for his sacrifice. Some even took to social media and put forward their prayers for Evan.

Fans rally behind Evan Link

Michigan fans left no stone unturned to portray their support for Evan Link. “Praying for Evan Link! Hope he is okay,” a fan writes. Another fan also followed up with the same sentiment, “Prayers for Evan Link.” The concern is real. It appeared to be a lower-body injury. It took place when he was pass blocking, took a step back, and suddenly went down, clearly in pain, clutching his left knee.

At that moment, his teammates surrounded him. Of course, they were visibly shaken, showing just how serious the moment was. “Prayers up for Evan Link. Huge loss for that offensive line,” another fan chimed in. Michigan’s offensive line just took a massive hit. Evan Link has been the anchor at left tackle all season, starting every game. He was a staunch protector of freshman Bryce Underwood, who needs a clean pocket to operate.

Now the line just consists of Giovanni El-Hadi (LG), Greg Crippen (C), Jake Guarnera (RG), and Andre Sprague. A fan writes, “NOOO EVAN LINK.” That gut reaction catches what Michigan fans felt instantly watching Link go down. The frustration shows how Link was a key figure in the Wolverines’ offensive line. Lastly, a fan writes, “Evan Link is gonna be out for the season. Brutal.”

And the worst nightmare came true as Link left the field with a possible season-ending injury. The details haven’t specified the exact medical diagnosis publicly yet. But the severity based on how he was carted off and the official updates about his status mean there are likely concerns of injuries like ACL, MCL, or meniscus tears. That means the Wolverines need to shuffle up their O-Line right away. For fans, it’s a harsh reality check, and the word “brutal” sums up the emotional hit of losing a starter like Link.