Mario Cristobal hopes Donald Chaney can return 'within three weeks'

Mario Cristobal believes Don Chaney Jr. will make a come back at some point this season.

After the redshirt freshman running back suffered a hip injury in fall camp, he’s missed the the first eight games of Miami‘s season already. Injuries have been an issue for him the past two years, as he also suffered a season-ending ACL injury in the second game of 2021.

“We watched him run out there on land and he looked really good and the whole team is incredibly happy for him,” Cristobal said. “It’s been a tough stretch for him, a tough couple of years. He looks good.”

A former four-star recruit and No. 13 running back in the 2020 class according to On3 Consensus, Chaney showed up as a true freshman the potential he has when healthy. He played in all 11 games that season, finishing third on the team with 322 yards rushing on 68 carries.

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Now, he’s nearly ready to go suit up on game day, though Cristobal isn’t sure when exactly that would be.

“When is that actual playing date, I can’t say he will play this week or next, but he’s getting really, really close,” Cristobal said. “I’d throw out there conservatively speaking within three weeks he’s got a chance to play towards the last couple of games of the season.”

With four games left on the docket for the ‘Canes this season, Miami will need all the help it can get offensively against a tough final stretch of the regular season. With match ups against Georgia Tech, No. 5 Clemson and Pitt still to come, Miami’s focus is on rival Florida State in Hard Rock Stadium – though Chaney is not expected to play.

Saturday’s kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET live on ABC.