Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Richards, Pinckney, Irvin II sit out 4th day of fall camp
CORAL GABLES — Last season, Ahmmon Richards and Michael Pinckney were two of Miami’s biggest contributors.
On Friday morning, neither the receiver nor the linebacker — both of whom were Freshman All-Americans last season — participated during the Hurricanes’ fourth workout of camp.
Instead, the pair was seen working on stationary bicycles with guidance from members of Miami’s athletic training staff while teammates went through drills during the media viewing portion of practice.
Later, though, Hurricanes coach Mark Richt indicated he did not believe either injury was too serious, though it was the second day Pinckney missed practice.
“Pinckney’s getting over a little bit of a strain of a hamstring,” Richt said. “Ahmmon, when he caught a ball, he landed and his head hit, but by all of our tests … our tests did not have him as a concussion. But as a precaution, we just held him today. Obviously, all of the concussion protocol will be used in this case, but I think we’re already past that. From what I’m being told, there’s no concussion.”
Richards, a former Wellington High standout, had 934 receiving yards last season and broke Michael Irvin’s 31-year-old freshman receiving record, while Pinckney was fifth on the team with 61 tackles.
Through the first days of practice, Richards — who started 11 games last season — has impressed, drawing praise from receivers coach Ron Dugans, who wants to see the receiver continue growing.
“Ahmmon, he’s learning how to be a pro, and that’s a thing that I see in him,” Dugans said. “I told him all offseason, ‘Hey, the honeymoon is over.’ He’s not the unknown guy anymore. Now you’ve got a target on your back. He’s had a really good offseason. Started off a little bit slow, but now it’s been all mental focus. … I’m excited to see him go out and work and compete and try to push guys.”
Irvin II held out
It’s been a bit of an upand-down week for tight end Michael Irvin II, who was limited on day one of camp, returned to action in the middle part of the week, but sat out Friday’s workout.
Early in the week, Richt declined to give any specifics on what was ailing Irvin, but Friday Richt said the former St. Thomas Aquinas standout has been dealing with dehydration issues.
“Michael had a little bit of dehydration with that he’s doing well with, but not well enough to go today,” Richt said. “He should be back very soon, if not tomorrow.”
Irvin’s absence has tested the Hurricanes’ depth at tight end with only three healthy players — Chris Herndon, Malik Curry and Brian Polendey —on the field during Friday’s practice.
“We don’t have much depth at tight end, only four guys, three on scholarship, one walk-on right here right now. It’s not very deep,” Richt said. “You have one guy miss anything, and you’ve got to think a little bit more about 10-personnel which is four receivers, no tight ends. So we had to practice that.”
Good news for Mayweather
Redshirt junior Malik Mayweather has worked into the rotation at receiver, and on Friday, Richt shared that the former junior college player is no longer a walk-on at Miami.
Instead, Mayweather — who is on target to graduate in December and played in one game last season — is a scholarship player for the Hurricanes.
“I did put Malik on aid. He’s been a tremendous student, he’s been a tremendous player, he’s targeted to graduate at the end of December and we’re going to put him on aid between now and when he graduates,” Richt said. “That’s good news for him and his family.”