Michigan cornerback J.T. Floyd lost for season with ankle injury

Rodriguez described the injury as a “freak thing.”

“A guy fell down in front of him, and I don’t think he saw it and got rolled up,” Rodriguez said. “The unfortunate part is it’s practice, and we’re not even tackling in practice.”

Courtney Avery, a true freshman from Mansfield, Ohio, will take Floyd’s spot in the starting lineup. Avery is one of six true freshmen to play in the Michigan secondary this season following a rash of injuries and departures that grows more disconcerting each week.

In addition to Floyd, the Wolverines lost cornerback Troy Woolfolk to a season-ending injury during summer camp.

Cornerback Justin Turner transferred to West Virginia in August and safety Vlad Emilien departed in September. Recruits Adrian Witty and Demar Dorsey never made it to the field because of academic obstacles. Top cornerback Donovan Warren left the team as a junior to enter the NFL Draft, only to by bypassed through all seven rounds. Backup safeties Jared Van Slyke and Mike Williams both sustained season-ending injuries in the preseason.

Michigan (5-3, 1-3 Big Ten) plays host to Illinois (5-3, 3-2) at noon Saturday (ESPN).