CORAL GABLES — The Hurricanes could be down four starting players in the coming weeks.

Wide receiver CJ Daniels and cornerback OJ Frederique Jr. will likely be out for several weeks, UM coach Mario Cristobal said on Monday.

Additionally, running back Mark Fletcher Jr., who suffered an injury during Saturday’s loss to SMU, could miss time, but his timetable for return has not yet been determined, Cristobal said.

“It doesn’t look like he will be available,” Cristobal said, “but I don’t know that yet.”

Additionally, defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. is “50-50” for Miami’s game against Syracuse on Saturday, Cristobal said.

Fletcher has been UM’s leading rusher this year, notching a career-high 636 yards and nine touchdowns on 125 carries. In his absence, the Hurricanes will likely rely more on running backs Marty Brown and Jordan Lyle, as well as younger players Girard Pringle Jr. and Chris Wheatley-Humphrey.

“Would like to see us continue to improve in the run game,” Cristobal said. I think those guys are really good players. We’ve seen them play good football. I think it’s an opportunity for Girard Pringle, Chris Wheatley-Humphrey. I think it’s an opportunity for all those guys. But certainly, you know Mark. Mark is a special player for us. He has set the tone a bunch, but we’ve seen really good play from both Marty and from Jordan, and we expect those guys to play really good football.”

Frederique missed the SMU game, and Ethan O’Connor, Xavier Lucas and Damari Brown all played increased snaps to fill the void.

“I think you look at it like we have four starters there, and I think we have really good young players,” defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman said. “I don’t even think twice about what guy’s on the field. We’re going to call the defense the same way. It doesn’t matter which guy’s playing, you know, right or left or boundary, field or what the matchup is. I’m very, very confident in those guys in that position.”

With Moten out last week, sophomore Justin Scott and freshman Donta Simpson got many of the snaps at defensive tackle.

“You saw some things that you get you really excited and then you also see the opportunities of areas of improvement,” Cristobal said. “Young players, talented players at that position require a ton of just being callous, being tough, being gritty. And those are the areas that I think those two guys will continue to improve in. But I think overall, them getting in there and giving us quality snaps, certainly it eased some of the brunt of not having Ahmad in there.”

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/11/03/hurricanes-starters-injured/