Zak Zinter of Michigan has a successful leg surgery; the Wolverines will miss him.
Zak Zinter, a right guard for Michigan, announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that his leg operation “went great.” What you should know is as follows:
After Zinter was carted off the field during the Wolverines’ victory over Ohio State on Saturday, his mother Tiffany Zinter said on Instagram at approximately 8:30 p.m. ET that her son is “heading into” surgery to repair a broken tibia and fibula.
One of the top run blockers in the country, Zinter, a senior, looked to have his leg rolled up during a play in the third quarter. While Zinter was being treated to, Michigan players formed a line on the field. As he was taken off, he lifted his fist to the appreciative audience.
Play resumed, and Michigan running back Blake Corum scored his second touchdown of the game on the following play to put the Wolverines up 24–17 after the extra point. The Wolverines overcame the Buckeyes 30–24 to get to the Big Ten title game, which Iowa will play in next Saturday.
Zinter was rated No. 41 on the NFL Draft 2024 Big Board by The Athletic.
Surgery went great, Love TEAM 144!! Thanks for having my back boys and finishing strong! I’ll be back better than ever. See you in Indy!
This is a brutal injury for Michigan, as Zinter is a team captain and the best player on Michigan’s offensive line. He’s a four-year starter who’s been a constant for the Wolverines during this stretch of dominance in the Big Ten. Michigan has depth on the offensive line, but Zinter will be impossible to replace. If his injury is as bad as it appeared, it will impact Michigan in the postseason.
Could Zinter’s draft stock be impacted by the injury?
Zinter, who was talented enough to be drafted had he declared last year, appeared to have suffered a serious leg injury in what appeared to be a horrible incident at Michigan Stadium in the second half. With his leg in an air cast, he was taken off.
Zinter was our No. 1 interior offensive lineman when the season began and has been near the top of the IOL board all season. He’s Michigan’s best OL right now and, frankly, he may have been its best over the last two years. Before this injury, he looked like a Day 2 pick.
