COVID-19 strikes Miami again, with 15 players unavailable for Duke

The Miami Hurricanes were able to get to Durham, North Carolina to play the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday in their first game in 20 days after a COVID-19 outbreak — but there were still several players unable to make the trip in the midst of the pandemic.

About an hour before kickoff, Miami announced 15 players were unavailable for the game, including five with starting experience. Cornerback Al Blades Jr., defensive tackles Jon Ford and Jared Harrison-Hunte, and linebackers Sam Brooks Jr. and Zach McCloud were all unavailable for undisclosed reasons.

The others unavailable at Wallace Wade Stadium: running back Robert Burns, fullback Michael Parrott, wide receiver Jeremiah Payton, tight end Larry Hodges, offensive lineman Issiah Walker Jr., defensive lineman Patrick Joyner Jr., linebacker Avery Huff, safety Jalen Harrell, and quarterbacks Tyler Van Dyke and Ryan Rizk.

And even more startling news was revealed when ACC Network’s Katie George reported early in the broadcast that Hurricanes starting quarterback D’Eriq King told her he had previously tested positive for COVID-19 and had concluded his isolation period. The Canes were hit hard before and after the Virginia Tech game on Nov. 14.

King did not have to miss a game, because he was obviously isolated during UM’s two-week shutdown after that trip. Coach Manny Diaz said Saturday after the Hurricanes’ 48-0 blowout of Duke that King was able to practice this past week.

“It obviously wasn’t ideaI, but I’m blessed. I’m healthy, I’m back here playing ball, playing the game that I love,’’ King told reporters when asked about his COVID experience. “It wasn’t too bad. It was just lonely. I was at home watching a lot of TV, a lot of Netflix.’’

King has had a long, often painful and nonetheless gratifying journey the past year in his transformation from a Houston star to a UM graduate transfer.

Miami does not disclose whether players are sidelined because of COVID-related issues, but an uptick in cases last month forced the Hurricanes to shut down for about two weeks and postpone a pair of games in November.

Miami’s COVID-related troubles began with six players unavailable for Virginia on Oct. 24, followed by 11 players unavailable at North Carolina State and then 13 absent the next week at Virginia Tech. The Canes (7-1, 6-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) had to take off the past two weekends because of their COVID-19 situation and previously scheduled opponent Wake Forest’s outbreak.

Blades, Ford and McCloud have all started the majority of games for Miami this season, and Harrison-Hunte and Brooks have each started once. Blades’ absence means cornerback Te’Cory Couch will likely start his second straight game after he got the nod ahead of Blades against the Hokies.

The absences of Ford, Harrison-Hunte, Brooks and McCloud left the Hurricanes particularly shorthanded at two key positions. At defensive tackle, Miami turned to a first-time starter next to Nesta Jade Silvera and the Hurricanes had to do the same at the linebacker spot opposite Bradley Jennings Jr.

Payton is also a significant contributor, listed as one of nine co-starters at wide receiver on Miami’s weekly depth chart, although Mike Harley, Mark Pope and Dee Wiggins have made all the starts at wide receiver this season.

With Blades out, Miami was left with just Couch, DJ Ivey, and freshmen Isaiah Dunson and Marcus Clarke at cornerback. At defensive tackle, the Hurricanes were left with Silvera, Jordan Miller, Jalar Holley, Jason Blissett Jr. and freshman Elijah Roberts. At linebacker, Miami was left with just Jennings, Waynmon Steed, and freshmen Corey Flagg Jr. and Tirek Austin-Cave.

King’s future at Miami

King was asked on Wednesday where his “mind might be at’’ in terms of deciding whether to return to the Hurricanes for another season. Although King is a redshirt senior, he, like all the players, would be allowed to return for one more season without it affecting his eligibility, thanks to an NCAA rule instituted just for this season because of the pandemic.

“I haven’t really sat down with my family and coaches and talked about it,’’ King said, “but it’s always in the back of my mind. We still have a lot of games left. I’m focusing on those games. It’s always been a dream to play in the NFL but playing with the University of Miami is great as well. Living in the city of Miami, it’s probably one of the best universities in the country so you can’t beat it.”

Mike Harley’s future at Miami

Wide receiver Mike Harley, a fourth-year senior, was also asked if he has thought about returning next season to the Hurricanes.

“Nah, I didn’t think about that yet,” the senior said. “The only person I’ve really talked to with that was [wide receivers] coach [Rob] Likens, D’Eriq King and my pops, my father. We’ve been talking about that every once in a while, but we got four more games [and] anything can change.”