(This story has been updated to add new information.)
Miami football defensive tackle Ahmad Moten left the Fiesta Bowl against Ole Miss on Jan. 8 due to a foot injury after just the second play.
The redshirt junior left the Cotton Bowl early with a right ankle injury that left him questionable entering the game. He was ruled a game-time decision, and coach Mario Cristobal said he would play his usual snaps against Ole Miss.
But he was clearly still hampered by the injury, hopping on just his left foot while engaging an offensive lineman before staying on the turf at State Farm Stadium. Moten has 25 tackles this season and is fourth on the team with eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
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Ahmad Moten injury update
The defensive tackle returned for the Hurricanes during the first half. He may have gotten away with a late hit out of bounds on Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss with less than 5 minutes left in the second quarter.
Ahmad Moten injury: How it happened
Moten was engaged with an Ole Miss lineman on a handoff to Kewan Lacy with 14:33 left in the first quarter. The defensive tackle was shown on ESPN replays playing on just his left leg before sitting on the turf and shaking his head. Moten limped off the field with help from the training staff.
His status for the rest of the game is unknown. He injured his right ankle against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31 and left the game early.
Ahmad Moten stats
The redshirt junior has 25 tackles this season in 12 games. Moten ranks fourth on the team with eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. For his career, he has 45 tackles, 11.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks with an interception in 2023.
Miami depth chart
For as long as Moten is out, David Blay will likely be joined up the gut by Armondo Blount. The sophomore has played in each game this season, putting up 16 tackles and 2.5 sacks. This will also mean more time for sophomore Justin Scott, who has 22 tackles and 6.5 TFLs with a sack.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami’s Ahmad Moten exits Fiesta Bowl with injury: What we know
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
