Keionte Scott injury update: Mario Cristobal offers encouraging news on status of Miami DB

Miami CB Keionte Scott, who’s been dealing with a notable foot injury, missed the final two games of the regular season for the Hurricanes. However, once thought to maybe be lost for the year, Mario Cristobal seems to think, at the moment, that he’ll be taking the field for them as early as this weekend in the College Football Playoff.

Asked for an update on Scott during his press conference on Monday, Cristobal does think there’s a chance that he plays on Saturday. That’d be a big boost for The ‘U as they make their debut in the CFP, with them having a first-round game against Texas A&M in College Station.

“I do. I do,” Cristobal said of the chances that Scott appears. “In fact, I feel strongly about it.”

“I think he’s exactly how you would draw up a football player. And, I mean, not only by his level of play, but his mentality. I mean, that guy? And, again, look. No one is ever going to get cleared unless the doctor clears them. But, there’s also a mental aspect to it, that goes into recovery that, you know, you either push yourself mentally and you’re positive and you will yourself as part of it,” Cristobal added of the veteran corner’s mindset to get back. “And, he has done that, and he looks great. And, he’s looking great, you know.”

Scott is in his first and final year at Miami, as he transferred in last offseason after stops at Auburn and Snow College (NJCAA). He has since had a career-best season with the Hurricanes, as he has posted a productive campaign on their defense with 44 tackles, five deflections, three sacks, two fumble recoveries with one forced as well, and an interception that has gone for a pick-six. He did all that despite missing the last two games, in working back from a “significant injury” to his foot, on the road against Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh.

With three weeks between games, though, in making the playoff, Miami as a whole will be much healthier when they kickoff at Kyle Field. Scott sounds to be a big part of that too, at least as of now with a few days left before the Hurricanes play the Aggies.

“We’ll see. We’ll see what it looks like later in the week. Certainly, I’ll have more details on the health of the entire team by then,” said Cristobal. “But, no. We’re in a good spot, you know. We’re healthier than we’ve been the previous four weeks, and he’s certainly a big component of the health of the team.”