WATCH: Despite Tyler Van Dyke's injury, QB warming up before Pittsburgh game
Miami has lost six of its last nine games and needs to beat Pittsburgh tonight to qualify for a bowl game. But a Tyler Van Dyke injury that has sidelined the starting quarterback for the past two weeks may not keep him out tonight.
Van Dyke was dressed and warming up on the field prior to the game.
The two teams are slated for an 8 p.m. ET kickoff on the ACC Network, and it’s unclear whether Van Dyke or freshman Jacurri Brown will earn the start.
Van Dyke suffered a throwing shoulder injury in a 45-21 loss to Duke on Oct. 22. The injury has troubled him ever since.
The sophomore quarterback missed a game against Virginia the following week before attempting to return against Florida State on Nov. 5. But Van Dyke aggravated the shoulder injury in a 45-3 loss to the Seminoles and has not played the last two weeks.
On the season he has gone 156-of-245 passing for 1,761 yards and 10 touchdowns, against four interceptions.
Jacurri Brown ready if Tyler Van Dyke injury keeps him out
Miami has rotated quarterbacks since the Tyler Van Dyke injury, playing both Jake Garcia and freshman Jacurri Brown. Brown was good in a win over Georgia Tech two weeks ago but struggled mightily a week ago in a 40-10 loss to Clemson.
The freshman quarterback went 14-of-19 passing for 136 yards and three touchdowns against the Yellow Jackets, while also adding 19 carries for 87 yards.
But he finished just 6-of-13 passing for 53 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in last weekend’s loss to Clemson. He was also held in check on the ground, carrying it 10 times for just 22 yards.
Garcia has also played for the Hurricanes at various points. He is 51-of-87 passing for 758 yards and five touchdowns, while throwing four interceptions this season.