Bain played just three defensive snaps against Florida before he exited the game with an undisclosed lower extremity injury. He was seen going through a minor workout prior to the game with one of UM's trainers in which he was sprinting across the width of the field.
Even without Bain, Miami's defensive line has been a strength of the team this season. The Hurricanes currently lead the country in sacks, averaging four per game, with Tyler Baron leading the charge in Bain's absence, totaling 4.5 sacks and 13 quarterback pressures.
Defensive linemen Elijah Alston and Simeon Barrow have each generated 2.5 sacks as well.
Bain was the best defensive lineman for the Hurricanes in 2023 as a true freshman totaling 45 pressures and 7.5 sacks.
Rivers will also miss his fourth straight game.
Rivers has not played since the season opener against Florida due to an undisclosed injury that was sustained during that game. In that game against the Gators, Rivers was credited with allowing two pressures and zero sacks.
In 2023, Rivers started all 13 games at left tackle, playing 878 snaps, allowing 15 pressures and three sacks on the season.
With Rivers out, Markel Bell is expected to be UM's starting left tackle for the fourth straight game. At 6-feet-9 and 340 pounds, Bell has allowed six pressures and one sack on the season. Against South Florida, Bell allowed two pressures and zero sacks.
Cornerback Damari Brown and offensive lineman Ryan Rodriguez sustained injuries against Florida in the season opener and they re expected to be out for a prolonged period of time.
It was another week for the Miami Hurricanes without two of their key starters.
Neither defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. nor left tackle Jalen Rivers were dressed during pregame warmups ahead of No. 7 Miami’s Atlantic Coast Conference opener against the Virginia Tech Hokies on Friday at Hard Rock Stadium.
Bain, the reigning ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, played just three snaps in Miami’s 41-17 win against Florida on Aug. 30 before sustaining what Cristobal called a “soft tissue issue” and initially said would keep him out a couple weeks. Rivers, a fifth-year junior, played the whole game against UF but has not returned since while dealing with an undisclosed injury.
Bain was present during Miami’s early warmups, running full sprints with a Miami staff member watching the whole time.
The Hurricanes have primarily used Tyler Baron and Elijah Alston at defensive end over the past three weeks without Bain. Baron has a team-leading seven-and-a-half tackles for loss, while Alston is tied for second on the team at three-and-a-half tackles for loss.
On the offensive line, junior Markel Bell has started each of the past three games at left tackle in place of Rivers. While there have been growing pains at times for Bell, the offensive line has still held its own. Through four games entering Friday, Miami has conceded just 11 tackles for loss and three sacks.
The offensive line for a fourth consecutive game was Bell at left tackle, Matt McCoy at left guard, Zach Carpenter at center, Anez Cooper at right guard and Francis Mauigoa in right tackle.
Elsewhere on the injury front, Cristobal on Monday said left guard Ryan Rodriguez and cornerback Damari Brown will be out “a little bit longer” after getting hurt during the season opener against Florida.
▪ The Hurricanes’ captains for Friday against Virginia Tech: Quarterback Cam Ward, wide receiver Xavier Restrepo, center Zach Carpenter, defensive end Akheem Mesidor, linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and safety Mishael Powell.
The Miami Hurricanes could be getting two key starters on the line of scrimmage back this week as UM starts conference play at Hard Rock Stadium against Virginia Tech.
Starting left tackle Jalen Rivers and starting defensive end Rueben Bain have been held out of action after they sustained injuries during the 41-17 win.
Rivers played the entirety of the UF game, but sustained an undisclosed injury that has caused him to be held out over the next three games as a precautionary measure. Bain sustained a lower extremity injury early against Florida and played only three snaps in the game.
During an appearance on 'The Joe Rose Show' on 560 WQAM, Cristobal hinted that the starting linemen could make their return this week.
With Rivers out, JUCO addition Markel Bell has stepped in and taken on the starting left tackle job. At 6-feet-9 and 340 pounds, Bell has been credited by Pro Football Focus with allowing seven pressures and one sack over the last three games.
On the whole, Miami's starting offensive line has allowed just one sack on the season.
If Bain is able to return this season, it would strengthen what is already the best position group for the Hurricanes this season.
Tyler Baron has led the defensive line with eight tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 12 pressures through the first four games. Defensive tackle Simeon Barrow has been impactful as well, totaling 2.5 sacks and ten quarterback pressures. Elijah Alston and Akheem Mesidor have totaled six pressures each.
Bain was the best true freshman defensive lineman in the country in 2023, totaling 44 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and 45 quarterback pressures.
Offensive lineman Ryan Rodriguez and cornerback Damari Brown, who both started the season opener against Florida are players who are expected to be out for the foreseeable future.
Miami will have a quick turnaround this week, taking on Virginia Tech on Friday night to begin ACC play.
The Hurricanes open as a 17 point favorite, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST and the game will be televised on ESPN.
Cristobal expects UM to be focused and ready for the start of ACC play.
“We have a lot to prove and we know it,” Cristobal said. “We are going to stay mad and keep working…You better be ready because every single Saturday there is four or five upsets. There is too many good players, too many good coaches, and too many ups and downs that come with injuries. You better show up ready to play.”
No. 7 Miami (4-0 has a challenging opponent ahead as they start with Virginia Tech to kick off conference play.
The Hurricanes have played so well that some might not notice that key players have been missing in action for quite a while. Specifically Rueben Bain Jr. and Jalen Rivers.
Now that ACC play is starting, they are expected back on the field to add an already destructive Miami Hurricanes defensive line that is a top-ten unit in defending the run and one of the best offensive lines in the country.
Bains' return only adds to a deep defensive line rotation that has been flying all over the field highlighted by Tyler Barron and Elijah Alston.
The same can be said with the offensive line who are willing to put it all on the line for their superstar Quarterback Cam Ward. The offensive line has seen several injuries with Anez Cooper also missing some time and Ryan Rodriguez missing some games because of a sprained ankle.
Another player to watch for is Jacolby Goerge. He has been dealing with an ankle injury for the past few weeks, but he still is playing on it to give the team an extra weapon to play with.
Damari Brown is still out with a soft tissue injury per Mario Cristobal who said it would take a bit more time for him to recover. The team is getting healthier as the season truly gets underway during Friday Night Lights.
No. 7 Miami has had a great defense to start the season, but imagine what would happen if the addition of their best defensive player returns to the lineup fully healthy.
Defensive edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. has been missing from actions since the first series against the Florida Gators in the opener game of the season. Some of that could be the team holding him back for his safety and saving him for the lengthy conference slate the team soon faces.
Head coach Mario Cristobal knows he wants one of his best players on the field, but he also has highlighted his importance off the field.
“He wants to be there and if he can't contribute physically, he wants to in some shape or form impact the team in a positive way,” Cristobal said.
Cristobal continued.
“So throughout the course of the week, in the previous weeks he has gotten some work, but when he hasn't been able to work, he's right there with those guys. He's with them in the film room, he's spending extra time with them. He cares about Miami, he cares about his teammates so he's had a really positive impact.”
Cristobal said the plan is to try to get him back this week against Virginia Tech (2-2) if he is ready to go. They have been holding him back in a similar way they did running back Mark Fletcher Jr. at the beginning of the season to ensure he is fully healthy and ready to add to an already dominant defensive line for the Hurricanes.
This article first appeared on Miami Hurricanes on SI and was syndicated with permission.
