Conferences returned to weekly injury reports for conference games for the 2025 season. There haven’t been many to report recently, but there’s an update to share for tomorrow.
Initially, there were no
starting or backup players listed on Miami’s injury report for this week’s game at SMU. The initial report came out Thursday night at 9pm. Here’s the screenshot of the initial report:
So everything is fine, right?
Well, not so fast.
On Friday night, the updated injury report listed 3 starters as questionable: WR C.J. Daniels, CB O.J. Frederique Jr., and DT Ahmad Moten Sr. LB Malik Bryant, a depth and special teams player, was also included in questionable group. That’s a BIG CHANGE from yesterday’s report. Here’s the updated Friday report:
That’s a big, BIG change from Thursday’s initial “everybody is healthy” injury report filing. And it can have a big impact on Miami’s performance tomorrow.
Daniels is the 2nd leading receiver for the 2025 Hurricanes, with 33 catches for 351 yards and a team-high 6 touchdowns. He’s been a set-it-and-forget-it player at the X receiver position for Miami this year, and his absence would be sizable. Miami has already been looking for complementary receivers to augment what Daniels and true freshman superstar Malachi Toney have brought to the field, so losing Daniels would be a big blow.
Miami was already rotating Tony Johnson, Joshua Moore, and Jojo Trader more last week, but if Daniels is out, that trio, along with the other starting WR Keelan Marion, would need to take a big step forward in this game.
On the defensive side, Moten Sr. would be a massive loss. He’s grown into a frontline player along the defensive line, and his absence would create a void. Justin Scott and Donta Simpson would lead the line of players who would be used to cover for Moten’s absence, if he’s unable to play.
Also, it should be noted that starting DL Akheem Mesidor missed last week’s game. He’s not been listed on either injury report, but coming back from whatever leg injury kept him off the field last week will be essential for Miami.
Lastly, starting CB Frederique could be replaced by several players at his position. Miami has rotated Frederique, Ethan O’Connor, Xavier Lucas, and Damari Brown on the outside at corner, so there are starting level players there to replace him if he’s unable to go.
I know that teams only share what they want when they want with injuries, but this feels to me like Miami knew something was up with these guys and held it back until the last minute. And hey, if conferences aren’t going to mandate what’s said when, then do what you want. But TO ME something here feels…..off. We’ll see if these players participate in tomorrow’s game, or if Miami will have to rely on others to pick up the slack.
The Miami Hurricanes face the SMU Mustangs in Dallas at Noon Eastern/11am Central. The game will be televised on ESPN.
Go Canes
