Is Justice Haynes done for the season? And if that is the case, does it mean that he’s now entirely done with his college career? Make no mistake about it, the Michigan Wolverines running back has done more than enough to warrant a round two selection in the next NFL Draft, but one has to wonder what might have been.
If he had stayed healthy this season, maybe he could have been the top back off the boards and a first-round pick. According to reports, the Alabama transfer, who came to Ann Arbor specifically to be the Wolverines’ feature back, will now undergo foot surgery, and this procedure could potentially end his season.
Michigan star running back Justice Haynes is set to undergo surgery to repair a foot injury, sources tell @CBSSports.
Recovery timetable is TBD but the current hope is to get him back at some point this season. Leads P4 running backs with an average of 122 yards per game. pic.twitter.com/rj7swAj3ZC
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) November 2, 2025
If Haynes, who entered November as the top rusher among all power conference teams, is to come back and play this season, it would likely be in “The Game” against Ohio State on Thanksgiving weekend. Michigan is almost certainly not making the College Football Playoff, so the Wolverines postseason destination will be in one of the more traditional bowls.
Most likely, it will be the Citrus Bowl, but it could also be Tampa or Nashville. These kinds of games often see a lot of opt-outs, especially so at the running back position. It’s understandable, given how RBs have such a short shelf life in the pros anyway.
Haynes’ biggest weakness in his game is pass-catching, but perhaps in a more pass-friendly system, maybe this wouldn’t be an issue at all. His pass protection abilities are something that he spent the offseason working towards improving, and it shows.
He’s gotten better in pass pro, and Haynes knows that’s a trait which is highly valued by the NFL. Anytime a player sees his season (and maybe his college career) end early due to injury, the pre-draft process (Combine, Pro Day, private workouts, All-Star games etc.) becomes all the more important.
This will be the case with Haynes, who is known for taking health, fitness and conditioning as seriously as anybody. Haynes is all about nutrition, and that’s key for all of us, but especially so for NFL Draft prospects.
