Mario Cristobal says Justice Oluwaseun, Zion Nelson, Jonathan Denis won't return in 2022

The Miami Hurricanes are in dire shape along the offensive line, having been marred with injuries as of late. Mario Cristobal is just hoping to get one of them back in the fold before the season ends here in a few weeks. He was asked this week about all those injured lineman, four of them, to be exact: Jalen Rivers, Zion Nelson, Jonathan Dennis and Justice Oluwaseun.

Of that group, Cristobal broke the news that three of them were done for the season while offering a positive update on one of them. Here was his update:

“Jalen is week-to-week, he’s improving daily, so we’re excited about him. Justice won’t. Zion I don’t foresee it happening this season. You know, Jonathon Dennis either.”

Tough to lose so many pieces along the titular unit on the field, and in your first year as a coach, too. Miami has had many issues plague them this season and the offensive line is just another log on the first-year dumpster fire for Mario Cristobal.

For Oluwaseun, this news likely ends his career. The class of 2017 graduate is in his sixth year of school after time spent at UNLV and now Miami. A real shame to see it end like this. Zion Nelson is also a veteran in his fourth year, but it’s very possible he earns extra eligibility and can return if he so chooses. Meanwhile, Rivers and Dennis are class of 2020 kids with plenty of future still ahead of them.

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Especially in Rivers’ case. He’s just a redshirt freshman and was even named Offensive Lineman of the Week in the ACC earlier in the year when the ‘Canes gashed Bethune-Cookman for 70 points over 300 rushing yards. If you had to pick one of those four to recover for this season, you’d probably pick him.