Miami head coach Mario Cristobal provided positive updates for multiple Hurricanes during his weekly appearance on the Joe Rose Show on WQAM. Cristobal commented on cornerback O.J. Frederique, defensive tackle David Blay, running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and wide receiver C.J. Daniels.
Via an X post from Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald, Cristobal stated he feels "pretty good" about Blay returning versus Pittsburgh. Blay missed the Miami wins over North Carolina State and at Virginia Tech with an unspecified injury. Virginia Tech ran for 194 yards and averaged 5.2 yards per carry with Blay out for Miami.
Frederique has not played since the Stanford game on October 25. A Freshman All-American in 2024, Frederique has 10 tackles, five pass breakups and five passes defended during the 2025 season per his official Miami profile page.
Fletcher Jr. had six carries for 19 yards and three receptions for 22 yards against Virginia Tech after missing the two previous Miami games. Fletcher Jr. is fourth in the ACC, averaging 72.78 rushing yards per game with 655 total yards on the ground and nine touchdowns in 2025.
Mario Cristobal injury updates on WQAM's Joe Rose Show:
— Jordan McPherson (@J_McPherson1126) November 24, 2025
-Feels "pretty good" about David Blay returning vs. Pittsburgh
-Expects OJ Frederique Jr. back
-Mark Fletcher and CJ Daniels, both of whom played in limited capacity vs. Virginia Tech, should be 100% this week
C.J. Daniels Update
Daniels did not record a reception against Virginia Tech. Daniels played only two snaps in his first game since the Miami win over Stanford on September 25. Before he got hurt against Stanford, Daniels was leading Miami in receiving yards. Daniels had three receptions for eight yards versus Stanford.
Daniels has 33 receptions for 351 yards and is the Miami co-leader with Malachi Toney with six TD receptions. Keelan Marion has surpassed Daniels with 39 receptions and 544 receiving yards and has added one TD. With Daniels healthy, Miami has three threats at WR with Marion and Toney.
Daniels also told Rose that defensive back Keionte Scott will continue to be out against Pittsburgh. Cristobal stated about Scott's return this season that "it is a more significant injury....it doesn't look like it's very likely....I'd hate to rule it out completely cuz you just never know."