Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Xavier Restrepo posted on his blog on Canes Sport that the foot injury that will keep him out for six weeks was aggravated from high school. Restrepo injured the foot during the week of practice as Miami was preparing for Texas A&M. Restrepo leads Miami with 172 yards.
Tight end Will Mallory and WR Breshard Smith lead Miami with 12 receptions. Xavier Restrepo is third with 11. Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke has struggled in the new offense under coordinator Josh Gattis. The injury to Restrepo has exacerbated the problems for the Miami passing game.
Restrepo is on schedule to return when Miami plays at Virginia on October 29. In the blog, Restrepo said he is putting in four hours per day of rehab and using a scooter to stay off his foot. Restrepo was on pace to shatter his career highs of 24 receptions for 373 yards and two touchdowns set in 2021.
If he returns healthy on schedule, Restrepo would have five regular season games remaining in 2022 and surely reach career highs in receptions, receiving yards and TDs. It was clear at the beginning of the season that Restrepo is the best receiver Miami has on its roster. Restrepo spoke in his own words.
"“The injury itself, I had a reoccurring stress foot fracture injury from high school. I guess it fractured in high school or whatever, I played on it. And then one day in practice it just broke. It officially broke the week of Texas A&M…I knew something was wrong with it, but at the end of the day I was running a route, it just popped.”"
The Miami receiving corps misses the presence Restrepo has on the field. Eight of the 11 receptions Retrepo has this season are for first downs and he has four receptions for 15 plus yards and one for 25 or more. The Miami offense should get a boost in midseason when Restrepo returns.
Miami has continually suffered injuries at the skill positions beginning in training camp when Miami lost running backs Don Chaney Jr. and Tre’Vonte Citizen. WR Jacolby George played well at Texas A&M then suffered an injured hand and he will be out for six weeks. Miami needs a receiver to step up until Restrepo returns.