Miami appeared likely to face North Carolina short-handed on Saturday, with key offensive lineman Zion Nelson and backup tight end Elijah Arroyo sitting out warm-ups prior to the Hurricanes’ game against the Tar Heels.
Nelson had offseason knee surgery that sidelined him for Miami’s season-opener. The fourth-year junior played in the Hurricanes’ second and third games of the season but sat out UM’s loss to Middle Tennessee State on Sept. 24 after suffering what coach Mario Cristobal described a “setback.”
Arroyo, the second-string tight end, was “banged-up,” Cristobal said Monday. Arroyo has has five catches for 66 yards this season.