Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher did not start the team’s first possession of the third quarter on Saturday, Nov. 14, due to an undisclosed injury.
The senior player remained on the sideline while teammates Jordan Lyle and Javian Mallory took over the rushing duties for the Hurricanes, according to live game updates reported by the Palm Beach Post.
Cameras broadcasting the game on ABC captured footage of the running back riding an exercise bike on the sideline during the second half of the contest against Duke.
Prior to his departure, Fletcher had a productive performance in the first half, recording eight carries for 23 yards and two receptions for 20 yards.
During that same period, he successfully scored his 36th career rushing touchdown, a milestone that officially broke the program’s previous record, as noted in the latest news from Yahoo Sports.
The Hurricanes, who hold the No. 6 spot in the US LBM Coaches Poll and are ranked No. 7 in the College Football Playoff rankings, have been managing a series of roster challenges.
The team entered the matchup against the Blue Devils already missing star receiver Malachi Toney, who is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season, per reports from the Palm Beach Post regarding the injury report.
Toney suffered a high ankle sprain during a practice session on Nov. 4, which has sidelined the playmaker for the recent stretch of games.
In addition to Fletcher’s status, the Miami backfield dealt with other concerns during the game as Javian Mallory briefly exited the field in the first half after being tackled from behind, as documented by local sports outlets.
The medical staff continues to monitor the health of the team’s primary offensive contributors as the Hurricanes navigate their late-season schedule.
Additional updates regarding the severity of the injury are expected as the team evaluates his condition following the conclusion of the game.