SAD NEWS : Michigan star player will miss the rest of the season due to serious surgery injury

Michigan offensive lineman Zak Zinter is in surgery; his mother’s message

Michigan offensive lineman Zak Zinter entered emergency surgery Saturday night in Ann Arbor to repair the leg injury suffered in the Wolverines’ 30-24 win over Ohio State.

According to his mom, the starting right guard suffered a broken tibia and fibula and was “headed into surgery now,” Tiffany Zinter wrote on social media Saturday evening.

“Please pray for Zak’s surgeons, the surgery, a perfect recovery and for him to understand the injury,” Zinter continued.

The 6-foot-6, 322-pound lineman suffered the injury late in the third quarter of Saturday’s game. He had to be carted off the field, but not before giving the Michigan Stadium crowd a thumbs up. The injury was so gruesome that FOX decided not to replay it during the game broadcast.

One play later, Michigan running back Blake Corum broke off a 22-yard touchdown run that put the Wolverines ahead 24-17. Tackle Karsen Barnhart moved over to guard for the remainder of the game, while backup Trente Jone slid in at right tackle.

After the game, Tiffany Zinter said Michigan players video-called his son while in the emergency room.

“On the bright side,” Zinter continued, “he’s 3-0 against OSU!! This is a TEAM and brotherhood!”

Zinter is a four-year starter at Michigan, where he’s a two-time all-Big Ten selection and was part of a pair of Joe Moore Award-winning offensive lines. He elected to return this season, his senior year, and was considered one of the highest-graded guards in next year’s NFL draft.

“When you’re around the player for four years, and you’re just around all these guys in general, you don’t want to see them get hurt in any way,” Michigan acting head coach (and offensive line coach) Sherrone Moore said. “It was hard (to see), especially a kid of his caliber on and off the field.