Eyeing an Alabama return? Miami’s D’Eriq King on an aggressive timeline to return from knee injury
By Keith Farner
Published:
Miami QB D’Eriq King suffered a serious knee injury during the Cheez-It bowl against Oklahoma State this week, and initial expectation was that he could be sideline for an extended period of time.
But reports out of the program and Bruce Feldman of The Athletic and Fox Sports suggest that King may be able to return as early as August. That would put him on track to face Alabama in the 2021 season opener on Sept. 4 in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. It will be the programs’ first meeting since a memorable national title game in 1993.
King left the bowl game, which Miami lost 37-34, with a right knee injury with 4:06 remaining in the first half. The injury has been described as a torn ACL that requires surgery.
“We can’t wait to see him back on the field leading our team in August,” according to a statement from the program tweeted on Thursday.
Miami finished the season 8-3, but before the bowl game, King already announced plans to return.
The Hurricanes’ quarterback came to Miami with the intention of spending just one year at the school, but he will now take advantage of the free year of eligibility the NCAA allowed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the NFL,” said King, per the Associated Press, who studied his 2021 draft options and where he would likely be selected. “But it’s going to be there.”
We’ll be with you every step of the way, @DeriqKing_. pic.twitter.com/nnIroivU5V
— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) December 31, 2020
Bad news for Miami QB D’Eriq King. He has sustained a torn ACL in his right knee and will undergo surgery.. A timetable for his return will be determined after surgery but he is expected to be available for the start of 2021 fall camp.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 31, 2020
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
