Michigan Football Week 4 Spring Practice Report

Four weeks of spring practice are complete, and only one remains for Jim Harbaugh and his Michigan football team.

The Wolverines are nearing the annual spring game, which will show the development at a couple of critical positions. A returning specialist may be adding more responsibilities to his duties, while age has allowed some players to start to pull away in the pivotal quarterback competition.

Although Michigan has avoided significant injuries so far, the roster is experiencing some changes. And one backup's future is uncertain.

Picking the Punter

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

During his one season in Ann Arbor, Blake O'Neill narrowly missed recording a top-15 average in program history. He'll be remembered for something else, but O'Neill was typically a reliable punter.

There's more to punting than simply hammering the ball, though. O'Neill was excellent at cornering and deadening kicks, something most evident in his mere four touchbacks over 53 attempts.

However, O'Neill exhausted his eligibility.

Kenny Allen is the favorite to take over, especially because Quinn Nordin—the No. 1 kicker of the 2016 recruiting cycle—is not yet on campus.

Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press noted that Harbaugh said he believes Allen can handle punting duties in addition to place-kicking:

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Kenny's very good and he has a very good sense of what he can handle physically and he's not going to wear himself out so he can certainly do it all. Ideally you'd have a different person for everything ... if he happens to be the best guy at each spot, we're good with that. But there's a long ways to go. That's one position where you can really develop in the offseason, more so than some other spots.

"

Allen also served as the kickoff specialist last season and could reprise his role there, too. Few specialists handle all three duties in college football.

Once Nordin arrives, he'll challenge Allen alongside redshirt freshman Andrew David, who is currently the top competition.

Injuries, New and Old

Entering the final week of spring practice, Michigan doesn't have key starters missing due to major, previously unknown injuries.

Per Jake Lourim of the Michigan Daily, Ryan Glasgow and Jehu Chesson are still working back from shoulder and knee injuries, respectively. Defensive end Shelton Johnson joined the duo on the sideline in helmets but no pads.

Otherwise, receiver Maurice Ways is sidelined for three to four months after a "fluke foot injury" and reserve offensive lineman David Dawson had an arm in a sling.

Wideout Freddy Canteen underwent shoulder surgery, but Lourim noted that Harbaugh said, "I'll get back to you on that" when asked if Canteen—who's not listed on the roster—is still a part of the team.

Two members of the 2013 class, wide receiver Jaron Dukes and defensive back Reon Dawson, both retired for medical reasons.

Closer to Choosing the QB, But Not Close

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Progress is being made under center. That doesn't mean a resolution is coming any quicker than expected.

According to Nick Baumgardner of MLive.com, Harbaugh said Wilton Speight, John O'Korn and Shane Morris are now receiving the majority of first-team reps, but no one has separated himself further.

"We're looking for a quarterback to move the team and not make the big mistake. They're all in the mode of a big mistake a day," Harbaugh said. "We'll keep plugging away and keep getting better. Keep giving them things that they can improve on."

Brandon Peters and Alex Malzone shared snaps earlier this spring. So, it appears Peters—likely the quarterback of the future—is a significant step closer to taking a redshirt in 2016.

Speight, O'Korn and Morris will undoubtedly be the No. 1 storyline during Michigan's spring game on Friday, April 1 at 6 p.m. ET.

All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.