UM close to full strength after COVID issues
The Miami Hurricanes were still slightly shorthanded Saturday against the North Carolina Tar Heels, but in much better shape than they were a week ago and only one of the players sidelined was out for reasons related to COVID-19.
Miami was without running back Jaylan Knighton, defensive lineman Jared Harrison-Hunte and cornerback Al Blades Jr., the Hurricanes announced about an hour before kickoff in Miami Gardens, and only Blades was out for COVID-related issues.
Knighton is out for the season with a shoulder injury, the Hurricanes announced, and HarrisonHunte was out Saturday with an elbow injury. Offensive lineman Issiah Walker has yet to play this season after transferring to Miami from the Florida Gators in May.
Blades, who did not play last Saturday against the Duke Blue Devils, revealed Tuesday that he had been diagnosed with myocarditis, a viral infection of the heart muscle, which can result from the coronavirus.
The list of unavailableplayers was a marked improvement from last weekend, when the Hurricanes were without 15 players for their 48-0 win in Durham, North Carolina. While Miami typically doesn’t disclose whether players are sidelined because of COVID-related issues, an uptick in cases within the program last month forced the Hurricanes to shut down team activities for about two weeks and postpone a pair of games in November before they finally returned to action last week. Among those coming off the unavailability list this week: quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, wide receiver Jeremiah Payton, tight end Larry Hodges, defensive lineman Jon Ford, and linebackers Zach McCloud, Sam Brooks Jr. and Avery Huff.
In total, 12 players returned after missing the last game.
The 15 players missing against Duke were the Hurricanes’ most of the year.
Miami was also missing six players against the Virginia Cavaliers in October, 11 against the North Carolina State Wolfpack and 13 against the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hurricanes shut down two days after the Virginia Tech game and didn’t practice for about two weeks before finally resuming last week.
Blades started the first eight games of the season before fellow cornerback Te’Cory Couch replaced him in the starting lineup against the Hokies. The junior was one of the players unavailable last weekend against the Blue Devils.
Harrison-Hunte was also unavailable at Duke, although Miami didn’t give a reason for his absence. Defensive lineman Jordan Miller made his first start of the season at defensive tackle against the Blue Devils with both HarrisonHunte and Ford out.
Knighton is a new addition to the unavailability list after he injured his shoulder in the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium last week. The freshman made his first career start before going down with the injury, opening the door for fellow running backs Cam’Ron Harris and Donald Chaney Jr. to both have productive games.
MIAMI CELEBRATES SENIOR DAY
The crowd was more sparse than usual and parents weren’t on the field, but the Hurricanes celebrated senior day nonetheless Saturday.
Miami honored 13 seniors and redshirt juniors before hosting the Tar Heels in the regular-season finale. On offense, the Hurricanes recognized quarterback D’Eriq King, wide receivers Mike Harley, Marshall Few, Connor Byrne and Elias Lugo-Fagundo, and offensive lineman Jarrid Williams. On defense, they recognized defensive linemen Quincy Roche and Jon Ford, linebacker Zach McCloud and safety Amari Carter. Miami also honored kickers Jose Borregales and Turner Davidson.
This year, it’s not guaranteed all the seniors are done at Miami. The NCAA granted all players an additional year of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic and most of the players honored have suggested they haven’t made a final decision yet about whether they’ll return or enter the 2021 NFL Draft. Harley said in the preseason he planned to return for the 2021 season, although he is in the midst of a breakout season.
On Wednesday, King said he’s still weighing his options. Said the redshirt senior: “I have not made my mind up at all.”