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Miami safety Zechariah Poyser will miss Duke game in another blow to secondary

Poyser was spotted in street clothes before kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium.
ByPatrick Previty
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Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Zechariah Poyser (7) against the Mississippi Rebels during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Zechariah Poyser (7) against the Mississippi Rebels during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

No. 7 Miami will be without another starting defensive back for Saturday's matchup against Duke, as safety Zechariah Poyser was spotted in street clothes before kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium.

Poyser spent much of the week listed as questionable following an injury suffered in Miami's loss to Notre Dame.

Poyser suffered injury against Notre Dame

Poyser suffered an arm injury during the fourth quarter of Miami's 31-24 loss to Notre Dame last Saturday. He left the field after making a tackle and did not return.

The redshirt junior was not listed on Wednesday's initial ACC availability report but was downgraded to questionable Thursday.

Poyser has started all nine games this season, recording 29 tackles, one tackle for loss and two pass breakups.

Miami's secondary

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The Hurricanes have been without starting cornerback OJ Frederique Jr. since the opening drive of their season opener against Stanford. Defensive back Ja'Boree Antoine is also unavailable against Duke.

Those injuries have already forced defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman to make several adjustments to his secondary.

Bryce Fitzgerald, who began the season at safety opposite Poyser, has spent considerable time playing cornerback and nickel. Freshman JJ Dunnigan has also taken on a larger role, recording 42 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and an interception through nine games.

With Poyser unavailable, Fitzgerald could move back to safety, allowing Omar Thornton to handle additional snaps at nickel.

Duke will challenge Miami's defense

The Blue Devils have won three consecutive games, and are led offensively by quarterback Walker Eget and running back Nate Sheppard.

Eget has thrown for 1,849 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. Sheppard has rushed for 1,189 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Miami has been excellent against the run, allowing just 64.3 yards per game, but its secondary has been much more vulnerable through the air. Miami comes into the Duke matchup allowing 259.3 passing yards per game.

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