Why Rod Moore is ‘really back’ this spring following a 3rd knee surgery
Speaking with the media on Wednesday, two-time Michigan team captain Rod Moore spoke about his journey back from injury and his outlook for the 2026 season:
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 04: Rod Moore #19 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after a play during the first half of a college football game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium on October 04, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 24-10. (Photo by Aaron J.
Thornton/Getty Images) | Getty Images Sixth-year Michigan safety Rod Moore met with the media on Wednesday afternoon to discuss a variety of topics, but most importantly, to provide an injury update. Moore suffered a severe knee injury in the spring of 2024 and has scarcely played since. After missing all of 2024, he returned against Nebraska in 2025 and registered his first defensive snap since the National Championship Game against Washington.
A week later against Wisconsin, he appeared to be back to his old ways by making a key tackle in space and securing his first interception since “ calling game ” against Ohio State in 2023. However, there was more to the story. “Last year I came back against Nebraska and was still feeling pain or whatever.
Before the Wisconsin game, I got, I want to say it was a cortisone injection, two days before the game,” Moore said. “I didn’t practice that whole week and then I came in Saturday and I was like, ‘I don’t feel anything. ’ That’s why I played like that (against Wisconsin).