MIAMI GARDENS — Miami cornerback Damari Brown appeared ready to play before the Hurricanes’ game against Wake Forest, but he did not take the field.
Brown, who has been out with an injury since Week 1, warmed up and was dressed in full uniform before UM’s game against Wake Forest but was on the sideline in a hooded sweatshirt during the game.
Brown, an American Heritage alum, got significant playing time as a true freshman in 2023 and was expected to play a large role this year before suffering an undisclosed injury against the Gators in the opener. He returned to practice during the bye week, Miami coach Mario Cristobal said, but was a game-time decision.
Although he has not been healthy enough to play for most of the season, Cristobal said Brown’s rehabilitation process helped him “come out of his shell.”
“Damari, by nature — No. 1 he comes from a great family, but he’s very reserved in a good way. Just very focused. Takes care of his business,” Cristobal said. “When you go through something like that, you have to engaged in different ways. We don’t allow guys to isolate during injury time; that’s the worst thing you can do for a player is let him drift off and get in his own mental space. That’s never good.