CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) -Miami quarterback Robert Marve and wide receiver Jermaine McKenzie took a big step in their recoveries Tuesday.
Six weeks after the freshmen suffered serious injuries in a rollover crash, they were in uniform on the Hurricanes’ practice field. Both are still limited in what they can do, and there isn’t a timetable for when – or if – either may be cleared for game action this season.
“It feels good,” Marve said. “I think it’s a blessing that I’m back on the field.”
They were hurt shortly past midnight on July 16 in the one-car crash on Interstate 75, about 110 miles away from Miami’s campus. McKenzie fell asleep while driving Marve’s 2007 Dodge Charger; the car rolled several times before coming to rest on its roof.
Marve suffered a broken wrist, dislocated finger and a deep cut on his left (non-throwing) hand, while McKenzie broke a neck vertebrae and wore a brace for several weeks. Another Miami player, linebacker Colin McCarthy, suffered minor injuries in the crash.
“I don’t know my status,” said McKenzie, who had the brace removed last week but isn’t yet cleared to wear a helmet during workouts. “Right now it’s still day to day.”
It’s still possible that one or both will be medically redshirted after the season, preserving their first year of eligibility.
Marve was one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the country last season, after leading Tampa Plant High to a state Class 4A championship. He set state records with 280 completions, 48 touchdowns and 4,380 passing yards as a senior, earning him Florida’s “Mr. Football” award.
“He’s just going out there and doing fundamental stuff and things like that. He’s not practicing,” Miami coach Randy Shannon said. “He’s working on conditioning and getting his throwing motion down. … No timetable, just when the body heals. He’s throwing a little bit, but we’re not going to let him get any contact.”
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