Michigan football junior defensive lineman Rashan Gary has missed three straight games with a shoulder injury and was limited in the two weeks prior to that. Asked Monday if he knows whether or not Gary's season is over, Jim Harbaugh said he wasn't sure. "I don't know," he said. Earlier this season, Harbaugh said Gary has been dealing with an AC joint injury in his shoulder this season. He played during the first half only against Nebraska in the Big Ten opener and was unable to finish a comeback win at Northwestern on Oct. 6. Gary was on the sideline in street clothes at Michigan Stadium for Big Ten wins over Maryland and Wisconsin earlier this month. But he was not put on U-M's travel roster Saturday at Michigan State. More on U-M:Harbaugh rips MSU again, doubles down on 'bush league' "We get to travel 74 guys (only on the road in the Big Ten)," Harbaugh said. "We take the 74 in uniform that can play in the game." Gary did practice last week, but ultimately made the decision he wasn't healthy enough to play against the Spartans in East Lansing. Asked specifically if Gary was ruled out by the medical staff or his own decision, Harbaugh said it was the latter. "As I said, Rashan didn't feel like he could play in the game," Harbaugh said. With Gary out, Michigan has leaned heavily on sophomore defensive ends Kwity Paye and Josh Uche in his place opposite Chase Winovich. More: Film study: Harbaugh remembers his 49ers days Stock watch: Offensive line surges at Michigan State Uche had two sacks Saturday against the Spartans and now leads the team with five on the season. Paye had 1.5 tackles for loss while Winovich made three quarterback hurries in a 21-7 win. Michigan held MSU to just 94 yards or total offense. Gary, a 6-foot-5, 283-pound defensive end, is eligible to leave U-M for the NFL draft after this season. Asked in the summer for his thoughts on that decision, Gary said his only focus was on helping Michigan win a championship. "I'm focused on going into the Big Ten, winning it," Gary said in June. "Then going to the national championship and winning that. I'm just focused on the season. I'm not even thinking about the NFL, to be honest. "I'm just focused on my brothers and what we've got ahead of us. It's right there, we've just got to go get it." Asked Monday if he's been given any indication by Gary that he plans to sit out the rest of the season, he said he has not. "No," Harbaugh said. "Hasn't indicated that." More on U-M:Devin Bush on MSU logo swipes: 'I just got caught up' Contact Nick Baumgardner: nbaumgardn@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickBaumgardner.<doc-sep>After the dust had settled around Jim Harbaugh's additional comments regarding the pre-game festivities between Michigan and Michigan State on Saturday, he provided an update on the health of star defensive end Rashan Gary heading into the team's bye week this weekend. Gary, who has not played in three weeks, is believed to have a shoulder injury of some sort and did not make the trip to East Lansing on Saturday during Michigan's 21-7 victory over the Spartans. His absence, combined with his potential NFL Draft status, has led some to speculate he may be looking to stay healthy in an effort to maintain his health for the professional level. Harbaugh said he hasn't been given any indication of that at this point. "He's made progress. He practiced last week, but didn't feel like he could play in the game," Harbaugh said. "We get to travel 74 guys. We take the 74 who are in uniform and could potentially play in the game." When asked if Gary could potentially sit out the rest of the season, Harbaugh was blunt and short. "I don't know," he said. He was then asked again if it was the coaching staff's call or the trainer's decision to sit Gary. "Rashan decided that he wouldn't be able to play in Saturday's game," Harbaugh said curtly. Gary was the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2016, per the 247Sports Composite. His status will continue to be a topic of conversation as Michigan's emergence into the national picture continues. The Wolverines will host Penn State after their bye week and then travel to Rutgers and host Indiana before traveling to Columbus for their annual showdown with the Buckeyes. A victory over the Nittany Lions next weekend would give Michigan a very legitimate shot to run the table until their trip to Ohio State. One would suspect a healthy Gary gives them their best chance to win in both games. In Gary's stead, the Wolverines have relied on edge rushers Kwity Paye and Josh Uche to pick up the slack. Uche in particular has been disruptive, with five sacks in his last three games, including a pair of sacks against Michigan State on Saturday. Don Brown has been singing the Miami (FL) native's praises all year. "Unbelievable," Brown recently said of Uche's play. "We're able to play him in a number of different roles and move him around. The plays he makes where he's the most explosive are when he pass rushes. Now, he's an adequate cover guy over the tight ends, he's figured out the zone pieces as well so he's more of a complete player. We can incorporate him in several areas of our football team to take the best advantage of his ability to rush the passer." As earlier noted, the Wolverines will not play this weekend and will host Penn State next weekend in Ann Arbor. Kickoff is slated for 3:45 EST.<doc-sep>
Ann Arbor — The status of Michigan starting defensive end Rashan Gary, first-team All-Big Ten last season, remains uncertain. Gary has been sidelined the last three games because of an AC joint issue in his right shoulder. He did not travel with the Wolverines to Michigan State last Saturday. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was asked Monday if this is a season-ending injury or if Gary will be back. “I don’t know,” Harbaugh said. Gary, a junior, did practice last week. More: Harbaugh doubles down on criticism of Dantonio, MSU “He’s made progress,” Harbaugh said at his weekly news conference. “He practiced last week but he didn’t feel like he could play in the game, so that was the decision made not to play in the game.” Harbaugh said nothing has been discussed regarding Gary sitting the rest of the season. Ohio State’s highly talented defensive end Nick Bosa, also injured this season, last week announced he will not return this season and will instead prepare for the NFL Draft. “No,” Harbaugh said referring to Gary and his future. “Hasn’t indicated that.” Gary's mother, Jennifer Shepherd, tweeted Monday, "Unless you truly know, don't believe what you hear ..." Is Tarik Black back? Receiver Tarik Black, who broke his right foot the week before the season opener, made his first appearance of the season at Michigan State, although he did not play. Black when through warmups and was on the field for a play before a timeout. He did not return to the field. Harbaugh said Black was cleared by doctors last week to play. “Practiced limited during the week,” Harbaugh said. “Wanted to get him back out there.” He was asked if Black is full go. “Don’t know exactly,” Harbaugh said. Bushell-Beatty update Harbaugh said he hadn’t seen right tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty, who was injured and had to leave the Michigan State game, so could not offer an update on his status. Andrew Stueber replaced Bushell-Beatty. James Hudson had been the backup. “He’s done a good job,” Harbaugh said of Stueber. “He’s progressing well. Went a little bit ahead. James had dislocated a finger in the previous ball game (against Wisconsin) so Andrew had more reps and went ahead on the depth chart for this week.” Quotable Harbaugh on the bye this week: ”We call it an improvement week. We’ll set out to do that. Still got a long way to go and a lot of big games ahead. Also want to practice some of our younger players, on the verge of getting playing time or had some playing time. Put them over the top with the work they’ll do this week and next.” achengelis@detroitnews.com Twitter: @chengelis