On the back burner

Miami speedster Parrish could miss opener after surgery

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CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) -- Miami wide receiver Roscoe Parrish had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Monday, probably leaving the Hurricanes without one of their top playmakers for the season opener.

The 5-foot-9 sophomore injured his knee Saturday while making a catch. He tried to practice Sunday but couldn't.

Tests revealed no damage, coach Larry Coker said, but doctors cleaned loose cartilage from the knee.

Parrish returned to the team's training facility Monday afternoon with his knee wrapped in ice and a bandage. He hoped to start riding a stationary bike Tuesday and told Coker and receivers coach Curtis Johnson he would play in the Aug. 28 opener against Louisiana Tech.

Johnson was less optimistic, saying a more likely return would be Sept. 6 against Florida.

"No later than the second game. He'll be there for Florida for sure," Johnson said. "If he feels like he's going to be there for first game, then you know he'll be there for the second game."

Parrish had 19 receptions for 340 yards last season, including five catches for 70 yards and a touchdown against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.

He made an even bigger impact as a punt returner. He returned 27 punts for 392 yards, second in the Big East, and had some opponents kicking out of bounds or away from him.

Parrish is the latest in a growing list of injured receivers for the Hurricanes.

Jason Geathers returned to practice Monday but re-injured his hamstring. Kevin Beard, coming off reconstructive knee surgery, and Ryan Moore (hamstring) have practiced sparingly this fall. And Sinorice Moss, the younger brother of New York Jets receiver Santana Moss, is sidelined with a high ankle sprain.

Miami had just three healthy receivers -- Akieem Jolla, Darnell Jenkins and Devin Hester -- for both practices Monday.

 

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