News: Michigan running backs coach Fred Jackson expects Fitzgerald Toussaint (leg) to be ready for the start of the 2013 season, MLive.com reports.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint suffered a broken leg of an unspecified sort on Nov. 17, but he is apparently running already. Toussaint was a major bust before suffering the injury, but he'll still be a player to watch closely due to the huge year he had in 2011.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint (broken leg) might not be available for 2013, MLive.com reports.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint's injury was obviously a bad one, and Michigan is declining to specify just what sort of bone and ligament damage might have occurred. It looks like Thomas Rawls is penciled in as the top Michigan back for the start of 2013.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint suffered a broken leg against Iowa on Saturday, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint's season is certainly over. Thomas Rawls will take over as the starting running back, though Denard Robinson figures to see many snaps from the position, too.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint left during the first quarter of Saturday's game against Iowa with a leg injury.
Analysis: He was carted off the field with a cast running the length of his left leg, so this one looks quite bad. Fitzgerald Toussaint's season is presumably over, which opens things up for Denard Robinson and Thomas Rawls in the backfield.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint carried the ball 18 times for 92 yards against Northwestern on Saturday. He also caught one pass for 28 yards and one touchdown.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint's receiving touchdown is not something to be expected every week, but he remains a solid fantasy option at running back, even though his value is limited by the dual-threat quarterbacks he shares the backfield with.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint carried the ball 13 times for 70 yards and one touchdown against Minnesota on Saturday.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint salvaged his day with a 41-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. He split carries with Thomas Rawls this week, and neither back stood out until Toussaints long scamper late in the game.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint carried the ball 15 times for 38 yards against Nebraska on Saturday.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint and the rest of the Michigan offense had a tough time after quarterback Denard Robinson left the game. Things should get better next week with an easier matchup against Minnesota.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint has been ordered to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, pay fines and undergo random drug and alcohol tests by Saline District Judge Kirk Tabbey, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint will have to attend 10 AA meetings, pay $1,488 in fines and costs and undergo random drug and alcohol tests for 90 days as a result of a July arrest for operating a vehicle while visibly impaired. Toussaint has thus far this season rushed for 283 yards and four touchdowns on 81 carries.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint ran for 52 yards against Michigan State on Saturday.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint only carried the ball 10 times on the day, and hismrole remains limited as quarterback Denard Robinson will remain the primary running threat for the remainder of the season.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint will likely lose carries to Thomas Rawls and Justice Hayes, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint's numbers this year are rather miserable, as he's averaging just 3.3 yards per carry. Rawls and Hayes have both been much better, as they both are averaging over 6.5 yards per rush. Toussaint's value is quite low right now.
Michigan's Toussaint Scores For Second Consecutive Week
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint carried the ball 18 times for 62 yards and one touchdown against Illinois on Saturday.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint is entrenched as the second option in the Wolverine running game behind quarterback Denard Robinson. He will have a harder time finding running room against Michigan State next weekend.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint carried the ball 17 times for 19 yards and two touchdowns against Purdue on Saturday.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint struggled to get himself going in the running game, but his pair of one-yard touchdown runs saved his day from a fantasy standpoint. Nevertheless, he continues to take a back seat to Denard Robinson in the ground game.
Michigan's Toussaint Can't Get Wolverine Offense Going
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint carried the ball 13 times for 58 yards in the Wolverines' loss to Notre Dame on Saturday.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint took a back seat to quarterback Denard Robinson in the rushing attack against Notre Dame, and that trend is likely to continue against good teams when the Michigan coaching staff will want the ball in the hands of their most explosive player, Robinson.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint carried the ball 15 times for 85 yards and one touchdown in the Wolverines' win against Massachusetts on Saturday.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint rebounded after a rough game by averaging 5.7 yards per carry and finding the end zone. While Toussaint is valuable, it's clear that the offense runs through quarterback Denard Robinson.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint carried the ball eight times for seven yards in the Wolverines' win against Air Force on Saturday.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint struggled to get anything going in his first game back from suspension and he took a back seat to quarterback Denard Robinson. Toussaint should get more looks next week, but as long as Robinson remains in the fold, Toussaint's value will take a hit.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint will start at running back against Air Force on Saturday, Mlive.com reports.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint returns to the field after being suspended for the season opener against Alabama because of an arrest for drunk driving. He will try to spark a Wolverine offense that managed only 69 yards on the ground last week.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint will likely be the starting running back against Air Force Saturday, MLive.com reports.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint was suspended for Michigan's opener against Alabama because of his arrest for drunk driving. The Michigan running game struggled in his absence, gaining only 69 yards on the ground.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint will play Saturday against Air Force, Mlive.com reports.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint was suspended for last Saturdays' game against Alabama after being arrested for drunk driving. He is listed as the starter at running back on the team's depth chart.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint (suspension) will not play against Alabama on Saturday, ESPN's Joe Schad reports.
Analysis: It's the only game that Fitzgerald Toussaint will be suspended for. Considering the opponent, it's basically no loss at all. Toussaint should reclaim his spot as the team's feature back in Week 2, though Thomas Rawls will get his foot in the door if he runs tough against the thoroughly intimidating Alabama trenches.
No Word from Michigan's Hoke on Whether RB Toussaint will Play Week One
News: Michigan head coach Brady Hoke has remained silent regarding whether or not Fitzgerald Toussaint will start Saturday night's season opener against No. 2 Alabama, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Hoke would only tell members of the media Wednesday that a decision regarding Fitzgerald Toussaint's status will be made sometime before Saturday night's game. Toussaint plead guilty to drunk driving charges on Tuesday and faces 93 days in jail when he sentenced Oct. 23.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint pleaded guilty to a lesser DUI charge, operating a vehicle while visibly impaired, for his July 21 arrest when he was stopped for running a red light, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: He faces up to 93 days in jail when he is sentenced Oct. 23, the report adds. Head coach Brady Hoke may announce Wednesday whether Fitzgerald Toussaint will play this week against Alabama.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint (suspension) will return to practice Monday, the Detroit News reports.
Analysis:Fitzgerald Toussaint hasn't been explicitly reinstated and remains a good bet to miss a game or two, but this development implies that he's unlikely to miss more than that as long as he stays out of trouble. Thomas Rawls will likely start if Toussaint misses time.
News: Michigan suspended Fitzgerald Toussaint indefinitely due to a Saturday night DUI arrest, ESPN reports.
Analysis: It's not clear what sort of chance Fitzgerald Toussaint has to get the suspension listed, but as one of the nation's most productive runners, his status for 2012 certainly means a great deal to Michigan. We won't be removing Toussaint from our rankings given his importance with the team and the fact that this seems like his only infraction, but it seems reasonable to expect him to miss at least one game. His top backup looks like Thomas Rawls.
Michigan RB Toussaint Named To Maxwell Award Watch List
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint was a bit of a surprise name to be added to the Maxwell Award watch list for the 2012 season.
Analysis: Fitz turned in a phenomenal 2011 campaign, especially considering the running back by committee that Brady Hoke employed early in the season. A definite candidate to be a stud running back, keep him on your fantasy short list.
News: Michigan running back Fitzgerald Toussaint rushed for 120 yards in the win over Ohio State.
Analysis: Since taking the lead-back role for the Wolverines, Toussaint has gone over 100 yards in four of his last five games. Being just a sophomore, he should be on your list for 2012.
News: Michigan running back Fitzgerald Toussaint rushed for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Nebraska.
Analysis: Over the past four games, Toussaint has rushed for 558 yards with six total touchdowns. Ohio State is next.
News: Michigan running back Fitzgerald Toussaint said he's healthy and ready to go this week against Illinois. Fitz aggravated a shoulder injury last week against Iowa.
Analysis: Toussaint has been Michigan's best running back in recent weeks and the clear #1 back as long as he's healthy. However, staying healthy is something that has eluded him throughout his career.
News: Michigan running back Fitzgerald Toussaint rushed 16 times for just 58 yards, but did have a touchdown reception against Iowa.
Analysis: A 5-yard touchdown reception somewhat salvaged an otherwise poor fantasy day for Toussaint.
News: Michigan running back Fitzgerald Toussaint has emerged as the starting running back following his 20-170-2 performance against Purdue.
Analysis: We've been waiting for a Wolverine tailback to emerge...better late than never. The easy part of the Michigan schedule is over, so start Toussaint at your own risk. As long as Denard Robinson is taking snaps, a UofM tailback will see spotty carries at best.
News: Michigan running back Fitzgerald Toussaint carried 20 times for 170 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Purdue.
Analysis: I'm willing to bet next to nobody had Touissaint in their starting lineup on Saturday. While it was a great performance, it's a guessing game who gets the carries for Michigan on a weekly basis.
News: Despite saying he wanted a bell cow since the start of camp, offensive coordinator Al Borges says he has no plans to change how carries are distributed.
Analysis: It seems to be a different guy for Michigan every week. Fitzgerald Toussaint was the leader last week, Vincent Smith the week before. Borges has even talked up Thomas Rawls over the past couple of weeks. It's just not a safe place to count on for fantasy production right now.
News: While Michigan running back Vincent Smith is expected to start against San Diego State, freshman Thomas Rawls has moved up to "second or third" on the depth chart, per coach Brady Hoke.
Analysis:Michael Shaw seems to be falling off the pecking order, while Smith, Rawls, and Fitzgerald Toussaint have appeared to solidify their roles. If you have room on your bench, it may be a good idea to stash Rawls now.
News: Michigan running back Fitzgerald Toussaint sat out the Notre Dame game with what was described as a "dinged up shoulder".
Analysis: Toussaint is said to be probable for this weeks' game against Eastern Michigan.
News: Michigan running back Fitzgerald Toussaint will start against Notre Dame this Saturday night.
Analysis: Toussaint had 11 carries to Michael Shaw's four against Western Michigan last week, and that trend looks to continue for now.
News:
First Iowa, and now Michigan have had their games suspended due to weather conditions.
Analysis: Iowa completed their game eventually, but Michigan is suspended with 13:59 to go in the third quarter due to lightning and a tornado warning in the area. UPDATE: The game is scheduled to be resumed at 5:53 ET.
News:Fitzgerald Toussaint will start at running back for Michigan in today's opener against Western Michigan.
Analysis: Fitz and Michael Shaw were listed as co-starters early this week. Expect both to play.
News: Michigan released their official depth chart on Monday. At running back Michael Shaw and Fitzgerald Toussaint are listed as co-starters. Vincent Smith and Stephen Hopkins are listed as backups.
Analysis: No surprise here, this started taking shape last week and Shaw was named the starter a few days ago. If Shaw can get out of the gate hot, he could turn into decent fantasy option. It looks like Thomas Rawls and Justice Hayes are redshirt bound.
News: Michigan running back coach Fred Jackson has said that he may not name a starting running back until a few days before the opener. However, there are signs that Michael Shaw, Vincent Smith and Thomas Rawls are starting to separate from the pack.
Analysis: There are a half-dozen backs -- Shaw, Smith, Rawls, Stephen Hopkins, Fitzgerald Toussaint and Mike Cox -- that all have shot at the starting gig. But the kid you should keep an eye on is Rawls. As mentioned when he signed in February, he's a powerful runner that fits with what Michigan would like to do this year.
News: Toussaint (shoulder) is probable this week against Purdue, ESPN reports.
Analysis: He hasn't played since late September, so don't expect him to do much in his first game back.
Michigan's Toussaint (Shoulder) Doubtful For Week 5
News: Toussaint (shoulder) is doubtful to play against Indiana, the Toledo Blade reports.
Analysis: Toussaint has had bad luck with injuries, and he'll fall farther down the depth chart the more time he misses.
News: Toussaint (knee) is expected to play against Massachusetts Saturday, the Detroit News reports.
Analysis: The Michigan backfield is a mess for fantasy owners. Stay away.
News: Toussaint (knee) is doubtful to play in Week 1, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: Toussaint is one of a bundle of Michigan runners competing for playing time. None of them are expected to do much at the moment.
