Donovan Peoples-Jones, Jon Runyan out for UM vs. Middle Tennessee State

Ann Arbor — Michigan will start the season without one of its top receivers and started two new offensive tackles. 

Receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones was in a track suit with his right foot in a boot before the Wolverines’ opener against Middle Tennessee State. Peoples-Jones had a team-best 47 receptions last year for 612 yards and eight touchdowns and although he missed spring practice with a groin injury, from all accounts, he got up to speed in the new offense during camp and was excelling.

It is unclear what Peoples-Jones' injury is. Michigan will have receivers Nico Collins, Tarik Black, Ronnie Bell and Mike Sainristil available.

Senior left tackle Jon Runyan, All-Big Ten first team last season, went through pregame warm-ups with the linemen, but did not start the Wolverines’ opener tonight against Middle Tennessee State. It is unclear what his injury is. 

With Runyan out, Ryan Hayes, the 6-foot-7, 299-pounder who didn’t play last year as a freshman, will move into the starting role. Hayes, a four-star out of Traverse City West, is the backup at both tackle spots. 

Jalen Mayfield made his first start at right tackle. He and Andrew Stueber had been embroiled in a neck-and-neck competition since spring, but Stueber suffered a season-ending ACL injury during camp. Mayfield, 6-5, 319 out of Grand Rapids Catholic Central, played in three games last season at left tackle. 

Runyan earlier in camp said the line had essentially six starters with Stueber, who had started the final two games last season at right tackle, and Mayfield interchangeable. Offensive line coach Ed Warinner said he expected to rotate the two at right tackle with the starter getting about 60 percent of the snaps.

Michigan has three returning starters on the offensive line tonight — left guard Ben Bredeson, a two-time captain, center Cesar Ruiz and right guard Michael Onwenu.

achengelis@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @chengelis