Is this finally the week the Hurricanes get their left tackle back? What Mario Cristobal said

The Miami Hurricanes appear set, finally, to get their starting left tackle back.

Mario Cristobal, speaking Monday morning on WQAM’s “The Joe Rose Show,” said Jalen Rivers was “full go” at practice during the team’s bye week and “will be playing Saturday” when the No. 6 Hurricanes (6-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) travel to play the Louisville Cardinals (4-2, 2-1 ACC). Kickoff from L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium is scheduled for noon, with the game televised on ABC.

The news falls in line with what Cristobal said after Miami’s dramatic, 39-38 come-from-behind victory over Cal on Oct. 5, when he said Rivers was in line to return.

Rivers hasn’t played since Miami’s season-opener against Florida while dealing with an undisclosed injury. Junior Markel Bell has started each of the past five games at left tackle in place of Rivers to round out an offensive line that includes Matt McCoy at left guard, Zach Carpenter at center, Anez Cooper at right guard and Francis Mauigoa in right tackle.

And Rivers shouldn’t be the the only key player the Hurricanes get back. Cristobal said after the Cal game that Elijah Alston, who did not play in the win against the Golden Bears, is likely to return this week against Louisville.

This story will be updated.