Michigan football's Rashan Gary arm injury? 'Nah ... everything's good'

Rashan Gary had a sack and two tackles for loss in less than a quarter on Saturday. 

And then never returned to the field. 

Gary, Michigan football's standout junior defensive end, was disruptive from the jump against Nebraska at Michigan Stadium, but he appeared to be slowed by an upper-body injury late in the first quarter that ultimately kept him off the field the rest of the game. 

On Monday, Gary brushed off his injury concerns. 

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"Oh, my right arm? You sure?" Gary smiled. "Nah, there was something wrong with my shoulder pads. They had to check it. Everything's good." 

Asked why the training staff seemed to spend more time than usual checking those pads, Gary responded with another quip. 

"Oh, you know, those are a different type of shoulder pads," he smiled again. "You've got to make sure to take care of them." 

Whatever the reason for his extended absence, it  doesn't seem to be something that will impact his play at Northwestern on Saturday (4:30 p.m., Fox). 

Gary spent the rest of the game on the sidelines near the coaching staff and in defensive huddles, encouraging younger teammates like second-year defensive end Kwity Paye and true freshman Aidan Hutchinson. 

Hutchinson continues to make strides as Gary's backup. On Saturday, he batted an Adrian Martinez pass that wound up causing a safety. He has made 10 tackles (one tackles for loss) so far this season. 

"That's my brother," Gary said of Hutchinson. "I wanted to see him shine." 

Gary's start to the 2018 has produced 18 tackles (3.5 for loss), two sacks and three quarterback hurries. 

The 6-foot-5, 283-pounder continues to play strong-side defensive end, meaning he generally gets extra blocking attention from tight ends, tackles and other lead blockers. 

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He has gotten into the backfield plenty so far, and he continues to set an example for younger teammates. And, for the record, Jim Harbaugh still believes he's the Wolverines' best player. 

"He's at the highest level. His preparation during the week, his intensity in practice. It's every day," Harbaugh said. "Such a great example for the rest of the players on the team. It's 'I want to play like Rashan Gary, how do I go about that?' Study Rashan and see how he goes about his workouts, his practice, his meetings. It's at the highest level. 

"It's a great position to be in as a coach. To be in a position to say 'that's our best player, look how he prepares ... do like Rashan.' It makes it pretty, pretty good to use him as an example." 

Gary continues to draw attention from NFL scouts and talent evaluators as a player who could possibly be taken in the first round of the NFL draft next spring. Though he has refused to discuss any of that at the moment. 

His focus continues to be on Michigan's 2018 season and working to be the best player he can be. Which, he hopes, will help push U-M's defense forward. 

Through four games, Michigan ranks No. 3 nationally in total defense (240.3 yards allowed), No. 3 in pass defense (139.3) and No. 15 in rush defense (101). 

"We're still in control of our goals and our destiny and we've got to come out and show the world, because we know what we have here," Gary said. "The Nebraska game was a glimpse, but we've got to keep improving. 

"We're not done. We're not satisfied." 

Gary got a chance to watch most of Saturday's blowout from the sidelines and said it was an interesting feeling but also an encouraging one. 

The Wolverines were able to rotate in plenty of players for heavy reps, which gives Gary more confidence for the future. 

"It's a great feeling to be able to watch that, one I haven't had in a while," Gary said. "It's confidence in my brothers, knowing how hard we've worked and seeing it show up (in a game).

"The Notre Dame (loss) is behind us. We have a good taste in our mouth. We want to keep it (that way)." 

Contact Nick Baumgardner: nbaumgardn@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickBaumgardner. Download our Wolverines Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!