CHICAGO, Ill. — With the calendar creeping towards the opening of fall camp for the Wolverines, there's a possibility that Michigan could find itself without a key piece of the cornerback position once camp opens. According to head coach Jim Harbaugh, who spoke with the media during Big Ten Media Days on Friday, was discussing his defense and what he has heading into the season when he came upon the defensive back position, which is where he dropped the potential injury news in passing.

"Ambry Thomas, hopeful, he's working through a little something right now," Harbaugh said. "We're hopeful he'll get back with us."

Is Harbaugh hopeful to have Thomas back in the fold once fall camp opens? It's still up in the air.

"We don't know yet," Harbaugh said. "We'll see. We're hoping for the best and that (hope) would be that he would be at the beginning of camp or soon after camp starts."

So, where do things stand with the cornerback position if Thomas is unable to participate with the team during camp and, potentially, beyond? Harbaugh discussed his depth chart and listed a number of names that are young and lack experience but is hopeful they could contribute.

"Vince Gray has really been doing a great job and from there Germon Green, he's going to get an opportunity," Harbaugh said. "D.J. Turner, young guy there that will get an opportunity. We'll see what we have when we get to training camp."

Thomas, who is in line for a significant increase in playing time this season, recently spoke to the media to discuss his excitement for the upcoming season with a chance to make an impact on the field.

After spending his first two seasons as U-M’s primary kickoff return man, with some limited opportunities at reserve cornerback and wide receiver, Thomas admits he’s “itching” for the opportunity to start at cornerback for the Wolverines this fall. “You know I’m itching, yeah,” Thomas said, when asked about getting an opportunity to start for the first time as a junior. “It’s like holding a dog back in his cage and now it’s finally time. It’s there. Hopefully I can stay healthy and keep on progressing on my technique. It’s going to be a great season.” With All-Big Ten performer David Long Jr. declaring early for the NFL, it left an opening at cornerback for Michigan this fall. Thomas, who came to U-M heavily recruited out of Detroit (Mich.) King, has generally been considered the next man up in the rotation and is expected to be the other starter along with Lavert Hill, who decided to come back for his senior season as a third year starter for the Wolverines.

“I finally get to step up, show the team the player that I can be, show my leader characteristics that was always there,” Thomas said. “Just now is my time to really show focus on the young players like older players in front of me had did for myself. So, I love my role.” At 6-foot, 183-pounds, Thomas in 13 games last season finished with nine tackles and one interception as Michigan’s fourth cornerback on the depth chart. Now, as junior, he says he knows how to approach each practice session to improve his game overall. “I’ve matured a lot,” Thomas said. “And on the field generally everyone knows I bring that energy to the field, but I know in practice I don’t need to do that all the time. So, I’ve really just been focusing on myself and the young players trying to bring them along, because we want everyone to be part of this journey this season.” Why the focus on the younger players? Well, Thomas has his reasons. “I feel like it’s my time just to give back and to just do what I’m taught, you feel me?” Thomas said. “Everything is coming natural now. I’m finally that leader that I always wanted to be. So, I’m perfectly fine.”

The Wolverines kick off the season on Aug. 31 against Middle Tennessee State.