Michigan RB Toussaint suffers ugly ankle injury (VIDEO)

Michigan running back Fitzgerald Toussaint was carted off the field during the first quarter of the Wolverines' game against Iowa after suffering a devastating injury to his lower left leg.

It appears that Toussaint suffered an injury to his left ankle, which was caught underneath his body as he was tackled along the right sideline by a pair of Iowa defenders. Later in the first half, the Michigan radio broadcast would confirm that Toussaint suffered a "lower extremity injury," but did not give additional details.

The injury occurred at the tail end of a 10-yard run that involved quarterback Denard Robinson, who has been a vital part of the Wolverines' offensive game plan against the Hawkeyes.

(NOTE: Some viewers might be uncomfortable watching a replay of Toussaint's injury. Since it shows the entirety of the play, please view the following clip at your own risk.)

Robinson started on the left side of the field before running parallel to the line of scrimmage, taking a handoff from Devin Gardner and pitching it to Toussaint, who ran up the field along the right side.

With Toussaint out, Michigan moved Robinson into an all-purpose role centering on the running game. Robinson actually started the game lining up at running back, with Gardner under center.

Despite the tweaked role in the offense, Robinson continued to make a major impact for the Wolverines. He didn't attempt a pass – his nerve injury makes that a virtual impossibility – but Robinson had 98 yards on 13 carries and another 2 catches for 24 yards.

Even if Robinson is still not 100% for next Saturday's big game against Ohio State, you can see how Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges will use the senior in the Wolverines' system. He'll be a do-everything offensive weapon – like Northwestern's Venric Mark, though not so much an every-down running back.

Today's game plan against Iowa might give us a glimpse into how Michigan's offense will look in 2013, when Gardner is expected to serve as the team's starting quarterback. While the Wolverines won't have Robinson, the offense should be more pro-style while taking advantage of the athletes at the skill positions.