CORAL GABLES — The Miami Hurricanes may have to go without key starter Keionte Scott for the remainder of the season, coach Mario Cristobal said Monday.

Scott, who missed UM’s win over N.C. State with an apparent foot injury, may return this season, but Cristobal said it does not appear likely.

“I don’t know,” Cristobal said Monday. “Like we mentioned, it is a more significant injury. You certainly hope and pray for (him to come back). But it doesn’t look like it’s very likely. But I hate to rule it out completely because you just never know.”

Scott has excelled as Miami’s nickelback this season. The transfer who previously played at Auburn has 29 tackles, three sacks and a pick-six for UM. Pro Football Focus gives Scott high marks for his performance this season. He has a 90.3 defensive grade, which was the best in the ACC among defensive backs entering last week’s games.

But the Hurricanes also have some good news on the injury front, as several veterans appear close to returning, Cristobal said.

The UM coach said starting wide receiver CJ Daniels could have played against the Wolfpack on Saturday, but Cristobal opted to hold him out for another week to ensure he is fully ready after his undisclosed injury. He should be available against Virginia Tech on Saturday, Cristobal said.

“I feel great about his availability this week,” Cristobal said.

Other injured starters like running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and cornerback OJ Frederique Jr. are also trending in the right direction, Cristobal said. Fletcher has missed the past two games and Frederique has missed three games, both with undisclosed injuries.

Although key players have missed time, many of them have found ways to contribute off the field by supporting their teammates, coaches said.

“Keionte’s leadership, it screams loudly,” Cristobal said.

“I think one of the better things I’ve witnessed all year in my time here was him taking it upon himself to approach Marty (Brown) after the fumble and just going right to him and looking him right between the eyes and bringing the right type of — not the coddling encouragement — but like right at him. Like, ‘Hey, man, you’re that guy. You’re going to come back. You’re going to bounce back. You’re going to get after it and you’re going to make some critical plays in this game.’

“So you see it from him and you saw it from C.J. Daniels. Just very involved. They’re always moving. They’re men of action. They always have to be doing something that’s impacting the rest of the team and they themselves understand the value of that.”

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/11/17/hurricanes-injury-news/