Tight end Will Mallory exits with injury, leaving Miami down 7 starters vs. Virginia Tech
The injuries keep piling up for the Miami Hurricanes, who were already missing six starters to open their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies and lost another one in the first half in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Will Mallory exited with an injury in the second quarter Saturday after taking a hit to the head on a 20-yard reception on the second play of the period.
The tight end was slow to get up and WQAM reported he would not return. Virginia Tech defensive back Nasir Peoples was flagged for targeting and ejected for the hit.
Miami was already missing running back Henry Parrish Jr., wide receiver Michael Redding III, offensive lineman Justice Oluwaseun, linebacker Waynmon Steed Jr. and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, all of whom started last week in the Hurricanes’ loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Offensive lineman Jakai Clark, who started the first five games of the season at center, was dressed, but did not start after leaving the North Carolina game with an injury. Star tackle Zion Nelson also missed his fourth game — and second straight — after Mario Cristobal said his status would be a “game-day decision.”
Cristobal also said Oluwaseun would be a game-time decision, but Stevenson’s and Clark’s statuses were a surprise after the coach said both “looked good” on Wednesday. Stevenson and Oluwaseun both left early with injuries last Saturday, too, after starting the first five games of the season.
Parrish had also started all five games this year, and Redding and Steed both started last weekend against the Tar Heels.
Although he has yet to start a game this season, Nelson boasts more than 30 games of starting experience and was a preseason All-American, according to The Athletic, Athlon and College Football News. The junior had knee surgery in July, however, and had a “setback,” Cristobal said, after debuting against the then-No. 24 Texas A&M Aggies last month.
These injuries add to a long list for Miami, which was already missing running backs Donald Chaney Jr. and TreVonte’ Citizen, wide receivers Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George, and tight end Elijah Arroyo.
In the starting lineup, running back Jaylan Knighton replaced Parrish, wide receiver Colbie Young replaced Redding, linebacker Keontra Smith replaced Steed, cornerback Daryl Porter Jr. replaced Stevenson, and offensive linemen Jonathan Denis and Logan Sagapolu both started, replacing Clark at center and Oluwaseun at right guard.
This story was originally published October 15, 2022 at 12:34 PM.
