The first ACC injury report brought a mixed picture for No. 4 Miami ahead of Saturday night’s road trip to Clemson: several key players remain sidelined, but the Hurricanes are also tracking a few possible returns that could help soften the blow.
The most significant absences are already locked in. Sophomore tight end Luka Gilbert, redshirt junior running back CharMar “Marty” Brown and sophomore wide receiver Joshua Moore have all been ruled out for the season because of undisclosed issues, a right knee injury and a right shoulder injury, respectively.
Miami’s secondary is still taking hits, too. Junior cornerbacks Romanas “OJ” Frederique Jr. and Ja’Boree Antoine are out for the weekend.
Frederique Jr. has been out since the first drive against Stanford, while Antoine has not played yet. Both are expected back later in the regular season.
The list also grew on Wednesday night with redshirt junior tight end Owen Ruskavich added as out. Ruskavich, who has logged a new collegiate career high with 26 snaps this season, did not appear in last Saturday’s 52-3 win over Central Michigan at Hard Rock Stadium.
There is at least some movement in the other direction. Junior cornerback Xavier Lucas is listed as questionable, and head coach Mario Cristobal said a return this weekend was “possibly.” That makes Lucas a likely game-time decision, which matters because Miami’s secondary has been stretched thin over the last three weeks.
Sophomore linebacker Ezekiel Marcelin Jr. is also questionable. He has shown promising signs this season and ranks among nine Hurricanes defenders with at least 10 tackles. His line includes three solo tackles, seven assists, a tackle for loss and a forced pressure.
Two other veterans were held out against Central Michigan with prior injuries as a precaution, but senior running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. are not listed in the initial report.
Also not listed are freshman safety Polo Anderson, freshman cornerback Shavar Young Jr., fifth-year wide receiver Cole Turner, junior running back David Eziomume, junior defensive tackle Kourtney Kelly, junior right guard Mason Wade and senior defensive tackle Markus Strong.
Miami heads to South Carolina for a marquee matchup that could help shape the rest of ACC play. The Hurricanes are dealing with real attrition, but Cristobal still has reinforcements and depth to work with before a very tough environment on Saturday night.
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Miami Injury Report Just Raised Clemson's Biggest Game Week Question
Miamis first injury report ahead of Clemson offered a useful early snapshot of where the Hurricanes stand entering one of their biggest games of the season. Mario Cristobal said several players who have missed time recently are trending toward returning, and that matters for a roster still trying to get back to full strength at the right moment. The added depth should help Miami on both sides of the ball as the stakes rise and the margin for error shrinks.
The most watched name on the report is cornerback Lucas, who is listed as questionable but is making progress toward a return. For Miami, his status is the kind of late-week detail that can shape how the defense approaches Clemson, especially against a team that will test every available matchup. The Hurricanes have reason for optimism with the overall health picture improving, but the final answer on Lucas still leaves one of the weeks biggest questions hanging. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Heads To Clemson With A Chance To Change The ACC Order
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Now they head to Clemson with a chance to turn that progress into something bigger than one win. Miami has been more competitive in the series lately, including a recent victory, and this trip offers a real measuring stick for where the Hurricanes stand in the conference pecking order. If Miami can follow through in a game like this, the ACC hierarchy could start to look a lot different. [Read more 🡒]
Darian Mensah Is Climbing But Miami Fans May Hate The Latest Slide
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At the same time, the board has not exactly broken cleanly in Miamis favor. Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is now the favorite, Florida running back Jadan Baugh has surged, and a few once-prominent names like Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin have slipped into the background. For the Hurricanes, Mensahs rise is encouraging, but the latest movement also serves as a reminder that the Heisman race can turn fast, and not every turn will make Miami fans happy. [Read more 🡒]