The first injury report for No. 3 Miami brought some encouraging news for the Hurricanes as they head into the Florida State game, with several players either back or trending in the right direction.
On Monday morning’s Joe Rose Show, Cristobal said, “Ezekiel Marcelin Jr. is all the way back,” Cristobal said Monday morning on the Joe Rose Show. “Lightfoot is all the way back.
[Xavier] Lucas is all the way back. [Damari] Brown is back.
And then the guys that were a little bit dinged up, they feel and look like they're 100% because they had great days of practice.”
He also gave an update on offensive lineman Matthew McCoy after the Clemson game.
“He was fine,” Cristobal said about offensive lineman Matthew McCoy's status. “He finished the game and he's good to go.”
The Hurricanes have been dealing with injuries since the opening series of the season, but this week brought some signs of relief, especially on defense. Miami’s secondary has been banged up for most of the year, with its top three cornerbacks unavailable at different points, and getting Lucas back gives the group another option. Brown’s return also allows Bryce Fitzgerald to move back to his original spot.
Up front, Lightfoot’s return matters too. He missed half the game against Clemson with a concussion, and Miami gets back its sack leader as it tries to stabilize a defense that has been hit hard by injuries.
The offensive line has also been affected, with shuffling up front forcing players to keep adjusting. The group has continued to work toward cohesion, but the line’s level of consistency remains a major factor.
Miami’s health has been one of the things keeping it from looking like the country’s top team. If the Hurricanes can keep getting players back and finish the season with more of their expected starters available, that could give them exactly the lift they need.
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Elija Lofton Is Becoming A Much Bigger Piece For Miami
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Shannon Dawson has taken notice of the way Lofton is contributing beyond the box score, especially with his blocking and the physical edge he brings to the field. For Miami, that kind of all-around improvement matters because it shows Lofton is earning more trust in the areas that often keep a tight end on the field when the game gets tight. [Read more 🡒]