Miami Football training camp day six: Irvin and Pinckney updates

The Miami football team held their sixth day of training camp without two of their veterans. Tight end Michael Irvin II will be out for four months after tearing his MCL earlier in the week. Linebacker Michael Pinckney was held out of practice with an injured ankle.

Irvin has already had surgery. He is expected to miss up to four months. A full recovery is expected If Irvin is out that long he would return only in time for Miami’s bowl game. There is a possibility he could return earlier in the Miami football season.

Pinckney was walking in a protective boot late in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. He was held out as a precaution. The Miami football team doesn’t have practice on Friday ahead of the first of three scrimmages during training camp on Saturday night.

Pinckney’s status for Saturday is unknown. He is not expected to miss any games with the injury. The Junior who was third on the Miami football team in tackles last season was placed into the boot as a precaution for compression and to keep the swelling down. Richt discussed Pinckney’s injury.

"“He just tweaked his ankle and we put it in a boot just for compression and to not let it swell. We decided to keep him out [Thursday], [there’s] no practice [Friday]. We hope he’ll scrimmage.”"

Irvin sent out a Tweet on Wednesday afternoon thanking the fans for their support. Irvin had been working with the first team at tight end during the first few days of training camp before suffering the injury. He also thanked Miami team physician, Dr. Lee Kaplan.

Irvin’s injury promotes the three tight ends on the Miami football roster up a spot. Sophomore Brian Polendey will work in with the first team, Freshman Brevin Jordan with the second and Freshman Will Mallory with the third team. The strong likelihood is that Jordan and Mallory will both pass Polendey.

Irvin’s loss for the majority of the 2018 season will hurt Miami’s depth more than talent. Jordan and Mallory were widely expected to pass Irvin on the depth chart in addition to Polendey. Miami Head Coach Mark Richt was quoted in the Sun Sentinel about the impact Irvin’s absence will have on the Miami football team this season.

"“Brian’s done a good job. He’s a guy that just, every week, every month, gets a little bit better. It’s kind of slow, you know. But a year later, you’re like, ‘Wow, look what he is now compared to a year ago.He’s done a really good job in a lot of areas. The young guys are still learning what to do, but they’re learning fast. They’re talented kids, but they’re freshmen like anybody else.We had to stop practice short [Thursday] because I just don’t have enough tight ends on our roster right now. Our 3’s didn’t even get to practice short yards because we just flat-out didn’t have enough people. I’ve got to get more tight ends in this program.”"

In past seasons if Irvin had returned to play he would have burned his redshirt season. The new rule in place allows players to participate in four games without using their redshirt season, Irvin can return and still have two years of eligibility remaining. Richt discussed what could happen with Irvin in the Miami Herald.

"“Michael Irvin, first of all, had MCL surgery…He had to get it cleaned up. They expect 100-percent recovery, it’s just going to take a bit. If he recovers quickly, he could actually play the last four games, or even one game at the end, if it came down to it, and not lose a redshirt.He’s going to end up being able to redshirt, no matter what. We would never play him if he’s not ready, but you never know how a guy feels by the end of the season. It’s even possible —I’m not saying it’s probable —but what’s certain is he’s going to be back 100 percent from that injury.”"

Saturday’s first scrimmage of fall camp will essentially be the first string against the second string. Richt said that the first-string offense will scrimmage against the second string defense and vice versa. The Miami Head Coach was quoted Herald Hurricanes beat writer Susan Miller Degnan discussing Saturday’s other details.

"“This is the closest thing we have to a game…We’re going to go ahead and do it at night. We’re actually going to have our pregame meal like we normally have for a game.We’re going to have our pregame warmup like we do for a game. We’re going to try and make it as much like a game as possible, the night before and even the day of. Just see who’s close enough to say he’s either on the plane, or he’s going to play, or he’s a starter.”"

If Pinckney cannot go on Saturday next up on the Miami depth chart should be Senior weakside linebacker, Mike Smith. Smith also played fullback for the Hurricanes in 2017. Smith had 23 tackles and a half tackle for loss in 2017.

Polendey is likely to play with the first-team on Saturday night. It would be surprising if he lasts there long. The other positions to watch are right guard, the second cornerback spot opposite Senior Michael Jackson and left defensive end.

Hayden Mahoney is currently listed as the starter at right guard. He should be in a battle throughout training camp with Graduate Transfer Venzell Boulware to hold to his status on the first-team. Trajan Bandy is currently the starter at the second cornerback spot. He is competing with Senior Jhavonte Dean to be the starter.

Jonathan Garvin is currently listed as the first-string defensive end. Miami is likely to rotate at end frequently. Senior Demetrius Jackson who is returning from a torn MCL will also contend for playing time.