Leaked texts sideline Marshall as Michigan OL crumbles

Zack Marshall is out for Saturday’s game against Penn State. The tight end’s absence from the injury report entirely, followed by a late designation ruling him out, arrives one week after his private messages criticizing offensive coordinator Jason Beck leaked publicly.

Marshall wrote in a group chat that Michigan runs an extra offensive lineman on every play and executes “different versions of power read every play.” He added that Beck dictates reads to quarterback Bryce Underwood on every snap, resulting in interceptions. “Bryce is a good qb, Beck is a problem,” Marshall wrote. He later issued a public apology. Coach Kyle Whittingham addressed the leak with the team. Marshall will not play at 3:30 p.m. on CBS.

The timing collides with a collapse across the right side of Michigan’s offensive line. Tackle Andrew Sprague and guard Brady Norton are both out. Whittingham indicated earlier this week that Sprague might not return at all this season. Norton, listed as questionable throughout the week, practiced alongside Avery Gach and Blake Frazier. Frazier shifted from the left side a month ago to fill the void left by Sprague.

Center Jake Guarnera carries a game-time decision tag. Guarnera has been the most consistent blocker in first-year offensive line coach Jim Harding’s unit. His Tuesday media availability suggested improvement, but the shift from “questionable” to “game-time decision” points toward a physical setback. Nebraska transfer Houston Ka’aha’aina-Torres stands ready if Guarnera cannot go. Left guard Nathan Efobi was probable all week and cleared the report entirely.

Michigan travels to face a Nittany Lions defense that routinely pressures depleted fronts. Losing two starters on the right side while simultaneously removing a tight end who publicly questioned the scheme leaves Underwood operating behind a patchwork alignment. Whittingham inherited the program following the NCAA sanctions tied to the sign-stealing scandal under previous leadership, making Year 1 roster management volatile before internal leaks accelerated the instability.