Miami Hurricanes injury updates as UM prepares to host the USF Bulls
While the No. 5 Miami Hurricanes managed to play 76 players during their 45-3 blowout win over the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Saturday, four key younger players did not take the field during the rout.
Three sophomores in wide receiver Joshisa “JoJo” trader, running back Jordan Lyle and defensive lineman Armondo Blount, all of whom played in the season opener against Notre Dame, sat out against Bethune-Cookman. As did true freshman edge rusher Hayden Lowe, Miami’s top-ranked recruit from the 2025 class who has not seen action yet this season.
While coach Mario Cristobal does not divulge in specifics regarding injuries when he doesn’t have to — and the Atlantic Coast Conference is only making teams unveil availability reports for conference games — here’s the rundown of where things stand as UM (2-0) prepares to host the No. 18 USF Bulls (2-0) at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in a ranked matchup at Hard Rock Stadium.
-Cristobal last week said Lyle “tweaked his leg for a second” in Miami’s 27-24 win over Notre Dame but that the running back was expected to be “full-go” at practice leading into the Bethune-Cookman game.
Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said Lyle will return Saturday against USF.
Miami has depth at running back, so it’s possible Cristobal just gave Lyle extra time to recover. Junior Mark Fletcher Jr. and redshirt sophomore CharMar Brown handled running back duties when Miami’s starters were on the field against Bethune-Cookman, combining for 121 yards and three rushing touchdowns on 18 carries. True freshman Girard Pringle Jr. and redshirt freshman Chris Wheatley-Humphrey took over once the Hurricanes’ second team entered the game midway through the third quarter.
-Trader “got banged up late in the week” heading into the Bethune-Cookman game, Cristobal said postgame Saturday, which is why he didn’t play. The sophomore was on the field for just nine snaps against Notre Dame the week before and was targeted twice in that game. UM’s passing game has been fine without him, as sixth-year senior CJ Daniels and true freshman Malachi Toney have turned into quarterback Carson Beck’s top targets early in the season.
-Blount played 26 snaps against Notre Dame, rotating both inside and outside on the defensive line, before sitting out against Bethune-Cookman. Cristobal said he anticipates Blount returning against USF.
-As for Lowe, who was the No. 75 overall prospect in the Class of 2025 according to the 247Sports composite ranking, Cristobal said Monday afternoon that Lowe will be out for the season with an undisclosed injury.
Cristobal initially said Monday morning on WQAM’s The Joe Rose Show that Lowe was “on the mend” and was going to be out “a little while.”
Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor are Miami’s primary edge rushers, with Marquise Lightfoot stepping up as a key reserve. Blount is in the rotation when healthy as well. At defensive tackle, the trio of David Blay, Ahmad Moten Sr. and Justin Scott handle the main reps with Donta Simpson pushing for additional reps as well.
This story was originally published September 8, 2025 at 7:21 AM.
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