It’s unclear when LJ Carson’s ACL tear occurred.
The Michigan State basketball guard sprained his knee in the first half of Michigan’s Big Ten Conference championship game win over Illinois on Friday, Feb. 27, but returned in the second half.
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“He passed all the jump tests,” Michigan coach Dusty May said Monday, noting Carson tested his knee on an exercise bike at halftime and was cleared to return.
However, in the second half, he seemed to land awkwardly again. The next day, Michigan announced the end of its sophomore season.
Fighting Illinois guard Kellan Boswell (4) drives to the layup and Michigan Wolverines guard L.J. Carson (2) defends during the first half at State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill., Friday, Feb. 27, 2026.
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“It’s obviously unfortunate for him because he’s playing so well,” May said. “When an ACL ruptures from a non-contact injury, you think, ‘Man, what could we have done differently?’ When that happens in a fun, bizarre drama, there’s usually no way around it.”
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LJ Cason lost for Michigan
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Carson is averaging 8.4 points and 2.4 assists this season but has made a noticeable impact in the past few games for No. 3 Michigan (27-2, 17-1 Big Ten).
Carson had scored in double figures in four of the five games prior to the Illinois game. (He scored nine points in 13 minutes against the Illini.) That stretch included a career-high 18 points against Northwestern on Feb. 11, when Carson didn’t sit out the final 15 minutes.
He averaged 11.8 points in eight games at Michigan in February, and CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein called him “the best backup point guard in the country” — a accolade that May neither confirmed nor denied.
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So, what’s Michigan’s plan at linebacker without Carson?
First, May noted that starting point guard Elliott Cardo may have to limit his defensive efforts a little.
“It’s going to force Elliott to make more solid defensive decisions when he gets fouled because he knows he doesn’t have that insurance anymore,” May said. “L.J. came in and carried the load for our team for a couple games, so that’s no longer the case.”
L.J. Carson of the Michigan Wolverines dribbles past Jayden Reed of the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Stadium in Evanston, Illinois, on Wednesday, February 11.
Who will step up for the Wolverines?
Michigan’s other linebackers will also be affected.
“This is a great opportunity for Roddy [Gayle Jr.]Nimari [Burnett] and trey [McKenney] Play more ball,” May said. “Those guys are really good players. Our rotation is already nine, and I think nine is too deep. If you’re trying to optimize everyone, that’s playing too many people, but we feel like we have nine guys that deserve to play.
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“We see it as another challenge, but also an opportunity for guys to play a little more, play longer, make mistakes, play different roles… We’re ready for whatever happens to us.”
May noted that McKennie will serve as the backup point guard when Caddo sits, but Michigan has other options. Burnett played point guard in his first season in Ann Arbor. In fact, the Wolverines may not always need a point guard to run the offense.
May and his staff were pleased with the starting lineups of Moretz Johnson Jr., Axel Lundenburg and Addai Mara. The Wolverines don’t force anyone to be someone they’re not.
“We try to play practical basketball,” May said. “If a team has a good defender, it’s not that we don’t have confidence that our guys can attack a good defender, but why would you invest so much emotionally and physically just to put the ball in when we have so many other capable weapons?”
Will Tschetter, Morez Johnson Jr., Yaxel Lendeborg and LJ Cason of the Michigan Wolverines gather during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Center on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Ann Arbor.
LJ Carson’s Rehabilitation Plan
May said he spoke with Carson, his family and representatives and sent text messages to the team shortly after news of the guard’s injury broke.
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“He’s been fine since yesterday [mentally],” May said. “But he knows he faces challenges. “
Carson now has a decision to make. Full recovery from an ACL tear usually takes 9-12 months. The early part of that window would lead to a potential return in December; a longer recovery time means Carson could return as the 2026-27 Big Ten season enters its sprint.
Carson might be better served sitting out the entire season.
“[A redshirt] It’s definitely been discussed,” May said. “It’s definitely going to impact hiring decisions, all those things you know. Right now, we’re still trying to figure out when he will [surgery]what is the timetable, and whether it makes sense to continue to wait and see next year.
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“It’s certainly on the table, but we haven’t made any firm decisions yet because all the information is uncertain.”
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines news writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared in the Detroit Free Press: L.J. Carson injury will change Michigan basketball rotation
