During the first week of the Wolverines’ spring practices, Moore remained on the sidelines as he continued his rehabilitation. Head coach Sherrone Moore confirmed to reporters on Monday that the veteran defensive back has not yet returned to full participation, and his status for the remainder of spring practices remains uncertain.
“Not yet — but he’s recovering well, and I look forward to him rejoining the team again,” said Sherrone Moore when asked about Rod Moore’s progress. When pressed on whether Moore might return before the end of spring practice, the coach remained noncommittal, simply responding, “We’ll see.”
Rod Moore’s absence from the field extends back nearly a full year. The safety sustained a significant knee injury during a spring practice session in 2024, which forced him to miss the entire 2024 football season. Although there was initial optimism within the program that Moore could return late in the year, his recovery took longer than anticipated, and he never made it back onto the field.
In December, Moore provided an update on his rehabilitation process, sharing with The Ann Arbor News/MLive that while he had begun running on a treadmill, he was still transitioning to on-field workouts. The extended recovery timeline influenced his decision to forgo entering the 2025 NFL Draft and instead return to Michigan for a fifth collegiate season.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his spring participation, head coach Sherrone Moore expressed confidence that Rod Moore will make a full recovery in time for the fall season. His return would provide a significant boost to Michigan’s secondary, where his experience and leadership are highly valued.
In his most recent season on the field in 2023, Moore showcased his versatility and playmaking ability. He recorded 38 tackles, snagged two interceptions, and broke up five passes. His performance earned him third-team All-Big Ten honors as voted by the conference’s coaches.
Beyond his on-field contributions, Moore’s leadership has also left a lasting impression on his teammates. Despite being sidelined, he was respected enough to be voted a team captain for the 2024 season.
Reflecting on his time away from the game, Moore acknowledged the mental and emotional challenges of missing an entire season.
“It was really tough,” Moore said. “The first game, I woke up and had that feeling like I was about to play, and then I had to remember, ‘You’re not about to play.’ I shed a couple of tears, but they were good tears. It builds your character and really let me learn a lot about the game just watching it from a coach’s point of view. I think that’ll help me this year, whenever I play.”
As Moore continues his recovery, both he and the Wolverines are hopeful that his patience and hard work will pay off, allowing him to return stronger and more prepared for the upcoming season.
