Michigan football: QB J.J. McCarthy limited in spring camp with shoulder injury

Michigan football quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be limited for the remainder of the Wolverines' spring practice as he battles a shoulder injury, the Detroit News reports.

McCarthy does not require surgery to repair the issue, per the report.

"The injury has been more of a nagging issue since before the bowl game, and the plan is for McCarthy to avoid throwing, go through rehab, and allow time to heal," the report said.

McCarthy reportedly suffered the injury before Michigan's appearance in the College Football Playoff last postseason.

Michigan opened spring practice late last month and will resume its team drills this week after taking the last week off for annual spring break.

Michigan QB competition

McCarthy, a former 5-star prospect and sophomore, was expected to compete with Cade McNamara for Michigan's starting quarterback position this spring.

McNamara played in 14 games last season, completing 64.2 percent of his pass attempts for 2,576 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. He helped lead the Wolverines to a 12-2 record, a Big Ten title, and College Football Playoff berth.

McCarthy played in 11 games, finishing with 516 yards passing with five scores and two picks. Whereas McNamara is a more conventional pocket passer, McCarthy is a more mobile and athletic prospect. He rushed for 124 yards on 27 carries a year ago and scored two additional touchdowns on the ground.

How Michigan will decide at QB

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh offered some perspective on the quarterback competition ahead of the Wolverines' 2022 season.

"Like you go at any position, we're going to play the best players," Harbaugh said.

"And the question comes back, 'Well, how do you know who the best players are?' Because they play the best. Really that simple. And if it's, one is clearly, one will clearly be, the starter, and could be the way we did it last year where they're splitting time.

"Or could be, one more than the other, or one the full way, you know. And there's not going to just end there, because I mean, there's other really good quarterbacks."

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