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Miami Hurricanes cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) hits Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Mario Craver (1) for an incomplete pass late in the fourth quarter during the first round of the 2025 College Football Playoff at Kyle Field at College Station, Texas, on Saturday, December 20, 2025.<\/p>\n
PHOTO BY AL DIAZ<\/p>\n
adiaz@miamiherald.com<\/p>\n
The No. 7 Miami Hurricanes are already without two cornerbacks for their home opener against the Florida A&M Rattlers on Thursday night.<\/p>\n
Could they be without a third?<\/p>\n
Junior Xavier Lucas, who has been one of Miami\u2019s primary outside corners since transferring in to UM last season, did not go through pregame warmups at Hard Rock Stadium, putting his status for the game against the Rattlers in doubt.<\/p>\n
Bryce Fitzgerald started at one of Miami\u2019s outside cornerback spots on Thursday opposite Damari Brown. Freshman JJ Dunnigan took Fitzgerald\u2019s spot at safety opposite Zechariah Poyser. Omar Thornton remained the nickel corner.<\/p>\n
Lucas only played 39 defensive snaps in Miami\u2019s 45-6 season-opening win at Stanford on Friday and didn\u2019t play after the midway point of the third quarter \u2014 well before the rest of the starters on defense were taken out of the game.<\/p>\n
Lucas started 12 of Miami\u2019s 16 games last season, finishing with 45 tackles, one interception and eight pass breakups.<\/p>\n
Should he be out, it would be another significant absence for UM\u2019s cornerbacks group. Miami\u2019s OJ Frederique Jr. (who started opposite Lucas on Friday) and Ja\u2019Boree Antoine are already out long-term with injuries. Brown and Ethan O\u2019Connor are the Hurricanes\u2019 other two primary outside cornerbacks.<\/p>\n
Reserve safety Dylan Day (illness) remains out as well.<\/p>\n
This story will be updated.<\/p>\n
This story was originally published September 10, 2026 at 8:10 PM.<\/p>\n