Breaking: Michigan football wide receiver Ronnie Bell out for the season
By Jacob Cox
Michigan football wide receiver Ronnie Bell is out for the season with an unspecified knee injury Jim Harbaugh announced Monday morning.
Bell was helped off the field in the first half of Michigan’s 47-14 win over Western Michigan on Saturday; he was later carted to the locker room and sat in a wheelchair the rest of the game. This is a huge blow to the Wolverines offense as Bell was the “go-to guy.”
Saturday night and into Sunday, there was speculation that Ronnie Bell had torn his ACL, and although Harbaugh didn’t say that during his Monday morning press conference, a season-ending knee injury still hurts.
Bell led Michigan in receiving the last two seasons, 2019 and 2020. He had already gotten off to a great start in the Western Michigan game as he had an insane catch that he got flagged on, then a couple of plays later had a 76-yard touchdown.
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Who has to step up for Michigan football to replace Ronnie Bell?
The Wolverines now turn to a true freshman, A.J. Henning, to lead the receiving core. However, junior Cornelius Johnson will play a big role in the offense without Bell.
Daylen Baldwin, a grad transfer from Jackson State who caught J.J. McCarthy’s first career touchdown pass, will be asked to do more as he has good strength and size. Roman Wilson will also be more of a factor.
Harbaugh said Monday morning that “right now Caden (Kolesar)’s our most sure-handed guy aside from Ronnie” at punt returner. He did add that Henning could take over that role once he gets more comfortable fielding punts.
This is heartbreaking news out of Ann Arbor, but turning the page to Washington means new guys stepping up. The Wolverines rushing attack with Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum can put the receiving core at ease for now. Still, Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis will be looking to see who rises to the occasion.
dark. Next. Can Cade McNamara get it done?
Ronnie Bell will still have a year of eligibility left if he wants to return to Michigan; however, I believe he would be drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft.