The Hurricanes, who have lost two straight, will take the field Thursday for one of the most critical games on their schedule -- a Coastal Division showdown against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.
Facing the Hokies on the road is tough enough, but Miami may be doing it without their two starting defensive ends, Chad Thomas and Demetrius Jackson. Both were injured in Saturday's 20-13 loss to North Carolina and neither were on the field Tuesday morning during the portion of practice that is open for reporters to watch.
Also missing during the media viewing portion was defensive tackle Gerald Willis, who missed the North Carolina game with a knee injury.