Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh met with reporters following the 2017 Mock Rock event, where he was a judge to Wolverines student-athletes across all sports putting on a variety show, and was optimistic about the prognosis for injured left tackle Grant Newsome.

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Newsome, who sustained a very severe knee injury on a special teams play against Wisconsin in Week Five of the 2016 season, was hospitalized for a month following multiple surgeries to repair his knee. Though Newsome walked off the field following the incident, Harbaugh said at the time that it was a minor miracle that the sophomore left tackle was even able to walk again, given the nature of the injury.

Now, several months removed, not only is Newsome walking, but Coach Harbaugh won't rule out that his injury will actually prevent Newsome from participating in the 2017 football season.

Per Land of 10's Rachel Lenzi:

“He’s making strides, he’s tough as a two-dollar steak, but doing it with an incredible attitude,” Harbaugh said. “Do not count him out. Optimistic. He’ll play again.”

Harbaugh is confident Newsome will be playing football again. Just a matter of when. — Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) February 22, 2017

Harbaugh said Grant Newsome is working out every day "He'll play (at some point)" can't say when he might be ready to play again — angelique (@chengelis) February 22, 2017

Harbaugh said don't count Grant Newsome out for next year. He's optimistic. — Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) February 22, 2017

In his year and a half of playing with Michigan, Newsome had become a reliable anchor on the left side of the line. He was released from the hospital nearly one month to the day after he was admitted, was walking on crutches at the early December 2016 Football Bust and with minimal cane assistance at the Capital One Orange Bowl on December 30th.

Newsome has long been expected to take a medical redshirt in 2017, but as Coach Harbaugh had said several times after his release from the hospital, that his resolve to improve could not be counted out.

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