Michigan football’s battered and bruised secondary ranks No. 96 in the nation in pass defense (234.1 yards per game).

Now, it faces another capable aerial attack this week, and the Wolverines could be without their best player to try and stop it.

The status of Will Johnson, U-M’s All-American cornerback who left last Saturday’s 21-7 loss to Illinois with what was said to be a foot injury, is undetermined headed into this week’s rivalry matchup against Michigan State (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) at Michigan Stadium. Head coach Sherrone Moore called him "questionable" on Monday.

Meanwhile, defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan was evasive with answers around Johnson’s availability Wednesday, saying he “did some things” early on in the week and that some players’ practices are “modified” before he implied it could be a true game-time decision Saturday (7:30 p.m, Big Ten Network) for him.

“Right now, Will Johnson is just working through trying to be his best all the time when he gets on the field,” Morgan said. “The game is not played today. There’s a lot of guys that maybe don’t go full speed until Wednesday or Thursday and had a heck of a game on Saturdays.”

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Should Johnson sit out, Aamir Hall (a transfer from FCS-level Albany) figures to take his place, as he did last week. It was a mixed bag for Hall. He allowed only one reception for 13 yards on 24 dropbacks, according to Pro Football Focus, but was flagged for a pair of pass interference penalties, one of which came in the end zone on a deep ball, which led to a short field goal.

“You lose an aspect of a guy that’s experienced, a guy that can say one or two things to try and keep the guys on the field engaged,” Morgan said of Johnson's potential absence. “With his leadership and all that, I think any team in the country is better with Will Johnson on the field.”

The good news is U-M’s run defense remains among the nation’s elite, entering play ninth in the nation at 92.1 yards per game. But Texas and Washington simply bypassed the ground most of the time, gashing U-M through the air with big plays.

Michigan State and quarterback Aidan Chiles have shown the capability to do the same. The first-year starter has thrown for 1,468 yards and six touchdowns in seven starts and has several proven targets in freshman Nick Marsh (24 catches, 433 yards and one touchdown), senior Montorie Foster Jr. (27 catches for 374 yards and two touchdown) and tight end Jack Velling (23 catches for 256 yards).

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The Wolverines have been susceptible to the big play, entering No. 119 with 76 pass plays of at least 10 yards allowed. MSU has connected 69 times for receptions of at least 10 yards (No. 46 in the FBS), and 24 times on passes of at least 25 yards (tied for No. 50).

Moore was proud of how U-M secondary responded vs. Illinois out of the bye, allowing quarterback Luke Altmyer to complete just nine of 18 passes for a season-low 80 yards. U-M blitzed on 14 of 25 (56%) dropbacks.

“We definitely wanted to play a different style to help the guys, and I thought it did,” Moore said. “We didn’t give up a lot of explosive plays down the field, and the corners, even when Will went out, I thought played really well.”

The big pass isn't all U-M has to worry about. When plays broke down last week, Altmyer escaped on five rushes for 44 yards and picked up a pair of first downs, which included a 1-yard score. Michigan has to show it has improved gap discipline this week against Chiles, who has already run for 166 yards and three touchdowns this year.

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The past two games, he has run 23 times for 80 yards.

“Just contain him and make him throw the football,” defensive tackle Kenneth Grant said of the objective. “We just have to collapse the pocket and show him different stunts and looks. Keep him always thinking and on his toes so he starts seeing ghosts.”

Of course, Johnson isn't the only ailing member of the secondary.

The Wolverines are still without captain Rod Moore, and Spartan-turned-Wolverine Jaden Mangham hasn't played since getting two snaps on kick return in Week 1. Nickel back Ja'Den McBurrows is out for the year, and Wesley Walker has also missed time battling through injury.

Though many will focus on the key rushing stat which pops up in this rivalry game every year — the running leader has won 48 of the past 54 meetings — U-M's ability to contain Chiles will go a long way in determining this game.

Michigan seems to have a good chance to disrupt him, entering Saturday with the No. 1 pass-rush grade (90.8) from PFF. But coverage must hold up too, including being prepared for trick plays.

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"Our guys have just got to be disciplined with our eyes, communication, understanding when the ball is thrown behind the line of scrimmage, more than likely if it's thrown behind, alert double pass, different things," Morgan said. "Any time there's a full outside zone, remember you've got to get your eyes back to see if there's a reverse.

"There's different things like that. But I do agree with you: In this game, no one's going to hold back on their call sheet. … Everybody's going to be playing aggressive this game."

Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X @RealTonyGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan readies for MSU pass attack, with or without Will Johnson