Cornerbacks O.J. Frederique and Keionte Scott and running back Mark Fletcher, are out and defensive tackle David Blay and on the initial Student-Athlete Availability Reporting update for the Miami game against North Carolina State on Saturday.
During an appearance on the Joe Rose Show on Monday on WQAM, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal reported Fletcher is doubtful, Frederique and defensive tackle Ahmad Moten were wait-and-see situations and he is encouraged by the trajectory of linebacker Wesley Bissainthe.
Cristobal did not mention the injury to Scott during his appearance with Rose on Monday. Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported Scott will be out on Saturday and "his status for moving forward into the rest of the season is TBD."
Wide receiver C.J.Daniels and Frederique have missed the last two games for Miami. Bissainthe has played limited snaps in each of the past two games. Daniels is not on the Initial Student-Athlete Availability Reporting update for Saturday. Bissainthe was also left off the report on Thursday.
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Daniels' return should significantly help the Miami offense and quarterback Carson Beck. Miami will also be without reserve WR Tony Johnson for the second consecutive game. North Carolina State will test the Miami depth more than Syracuse did last week.
With Frederique and Scott out, expect starter Xavier Lucas with Damari Brown and Ethan O'Connor, who have primarily been backups in 2025, to receive the vast majority of snaps at CB versus North Carolina State. The Miami depth will be tested in the secondary.
North Carolina State also has an extensive list of players on the Initial Student-Athlete Availability Reporting Update. The potential of losing Scott long-term is a huge blow to Miami. Pro Football Focus reported on social media on Thursday that Scott is the highest graded CB. The ACC will post another Student-Athlete Availability Reporting update on Friday night.