Michigan head coach Dusty May has a lot of options for who could be in his starting lineup to start the regular season on Nov. 4 against Oakland, but those options may be limited due to a few lingering injuries.

When asked about the starting lineup at Big Ten Media Days, May provided insight on two key players: forward Morez Johnson Jr. and guard L.J. Cason.

“We’ve had so many guys out that it’s tough to tell,” May said. “LJ’s been out the last couple weeks with an injury. So up front, I’m not sure yet … it comes down to health and timing and whatever else with that other spot. We haven’t had our group together to find the right pieces yet. Hopefully Morez has a chance to play in these exhibitions to get his rhythm back, but I really have no idea.”

Johnson did not participate in the practice open to the media last week, as we were told he is dealing with a minor injury. He didn’t get into specifics, but it was downplayed by May at the time. On that same day, May also said Cason looked “significantly better” than he did as a freshman last year before tweaking his ankle recently.

The extent of both injuries is unclear at this time, but a little less than a month before the season starts, Michigan isn’t taking any chances.

“We have some bumps and bruises and we’re very, very cautious this early in the season,” May said. “There are a few guys, I don’t know if LJ will play. Our season’s long, we want to be our best in March, and anytime some guys are out, it gives you an opportunity to look at a guy that wouldn’t have played in real live situations, so our response to the injuries are always good and we’ll be better off long-term because of it.”

Michigan’s roster appears to be prepared for an “opportunity” like this. Regarding the Johnson injury — if it is serious, Yaxel Lendeborg and Will Tschetter can take all the minutes at the 4, as the Wolverines will have two 7-footers in Aday Mara and Malick Kordel who can provide minutes at the 5. Kordel doesn’t have any college experience, but exhibitions and early non-conference games are a great chance for Michigan to see what it has in the former handball player.

If Cason misses time, that puts a little more stress on North Carolina transfer Elliot Cadeau, considering those were the two guys repping at the 1 the most for Michigan. Like Kordel, this could be a chance to see more young guys like Trey McKenney or Winters Grady at the 2 next to Cadeau. Nimari Burnett and Roddy Gayle Jr., who May mentioned as likely starters, are more than capable of playing extended time at the 3.

Again, we don’t know the severity of these injuries — no firm timeline has been given — but as the coaching staff has preached, this roster is capable of picking up the slack if guys miss time. As May alluded, being fully healthy later in the season is the main priority.

“Depth, we got a lot depth,” assistant coach Akeem Miskdeen said at Michigan’s media day when asked about the biggest difference between this year’s and last year’s roster. “And we’re physical, we’re probably more physical, and that’s on the coaches. We’re expecting to be more physical in the Big Ten, I would say those things stand out the most.”