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As the Miami Hurricanes prepare to get back on the field following a disappointing 2014 season, their offense is looking to rebuild after losing a number of key contributors to the NFL last spring. One of their key players that was going to step up and pick up some of the slack this fall, running back Gus Edwards, has been lost for the 2015 season with a foot injury, striking a major blow the Canes’ offense heading into the season.
The 6-foot-2, 235-pound junior initially was injured during scrimmage last week and was listed as “day-to-day” while wearing a boot on his injured foot during practices this week. When things didn’t progress as the team and Edwards expected, the running back was reevaluated and the injury to his foot was found to be more severe than initially diagnosed. His loss was confirmed when the Canes released their 2015 depth chart and Edwards was left completely off.
Edwards was expected to step up and fill the void left by Duke Johnson, the program’s all-time leading rusher, after he became one of four Miami offensive players to get drafted in the 2015 NFL draft. Johnson was a workhorse for Miami, racking up 1,652 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2014. The team expected Edwards as a veteran presence to pick up a good chunk of that lost production as he flashed great ability over the last two seasons, averaging 5.4 yards per carry and 11 touchdowns on just 127 carries. Coaches had been raving about his size and athleticism during camp in expressing their confidence in his ability as a No. 1 back.
Miami has talent at the running back position, even if they lack experience, to try and offset the loss of Edwards. Sophomore Joe Yearby will get an expanded role after a strong freshman campaign where he rushed for 509 yards and a touchdown behind Johnson in 2014. True freshman Mark Walton will also see significant time as Yearby and Walton were listed co-starters on the initial depth chart for the fall.
With pressure mounting on Al Golden and the Hurricanes, losing any major contributors at this point of fall camp is a major issue. Can the Canes overcome the loss of Gus Edwards in the rushing attack for 2015?
You can follow Tyler Brett on Twitter @ATylerBrett, on Facebook and on Google.
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