Wolverine Jake Butt Tears ACL in Conditioning Drill

Nov 30, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt (88) catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan’s offense had its problems last season, and more trouble looms as (soon-to-be) sophomore tight end Jake Butt has likely torn his ACL during conditioning workouts. While nothing has been confirmed, it does look like Butt will miss a significant amount of time, perhaps spilling over into the season.

Butt was one of the top high school recruits at tight end last season, and was a factor in the Michigan passing game, finishing 3rd on the team with 20 receptions for 235 yards and 2 TDs. More importantly, he improved as the season progressed, catching 11 passes over the last 3 games and displaying the potential that saw him much-recruited.

While the ACL is one of the nastiest injuries that can befall a football player, surgical and rehabilitative methods have improved greatly over the last decade, cutting down the time lost due to the injury. Butt’s youth and work ethic should help see him the promising young player back on the field sooner rather than later.

Devin Funchess (49-748-6) is still on board as the starting tight end, but if Butt should be out for an extended period, the Wolverines only have one other tight end on their roster who caught a pass last season, AJ Williams. With star receiver Jeremy Gallon graduating, and the offensive line in a state of flux, the passing game will need all the help it can get.