During his press conference to preview the College Football National Championship Game on January 19 against Indiana, Mario Cristobal provided injury updates on defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor and Ahmad Moten, cornerbacks O.J. Frederque and Damari Brown and tight end Elija Lofton.
Cristobal stated that Mesidor and Moten were "full throttle in practice Monday," per an X post by Manny Navaro of The Athletic. Mesidor suffered an elbow injury "for a second" per Cristobal and was already fully practicing on Monday after he had four tackles in the Fiesta Bowl win over Mississippi.
Moten entered the game against Mississippi with a leg injury that he re-aggravated in the Fiesta Bowl. After initially leaving, Moten later returned. Moten finished the Fiesta Bowl with one tackle and one quarterback hit. Moten anchors the interior of the Miami defensive line at tackle.
Frederique, who has missed five games this season, suffered a non-contact injury during the Cotton Bowl and was later seen wearing a walking boot. Per the official game report, Frederique did not play in the Fiesta Bowl win over Mississippi. Cristobal said Frederique "is good to go" in the National Championship Game.
Mario Cristobal said edge rusher Akheem Mesidor, defensive lineman Ahmad Moten were full-throttle in practice Monday. Cornerback OJ Frederique "is good to go." Cornerback Damari Brown is "day-by-day." Cristobal said tight end Elijah Lofton is the one in question.
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) January 12, 2026
Brown is day-to-day per Cristobal. Brown reportedly suffered a leg injury at the end of the regular season that has caused him to miss all three College Football Playoff games. With Brown and Frederique out and starting CB Xavier Lucas ejected for targeting, Miami true freshman Jaboree Antoine had two tackles in the Cotton Bowl.
Cristobal stated Lofton is the one (player) in question. Lofton had one reception for 15 yards in the Fiesta Bowl before being carted off with an upper-body injury. Alex Bauman, the other primary TE for Miami, had two receptions on three targets for 15 yards in the Fiesta Bowl.
Cristobal stated, "from an injury standpoint, I believe we're coming out a lot like we went into last game...aside from that, actually, I feel really good about the rest." Brown and Frederique being healthy would be a significant boost for Miami, with Brown suspended for the first half against Indiana due to the targeting ejection.