CORAL GABLES — The Hurricanes will be without a key offensive lineman for the start of fall practice.
Fourth-year junior Zion Nelson, who is Miami’s starting left tackle, will miss the first few weeks of practice after having surgery on his left knee, Nelson told The Athletic.
Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal said Nelson would be back in time for the season.
Nelson has been a starter on Miami’s line since his freshman year, and he has grown into one of the top tackles in the nation.
Last year, he earned an 85.3 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, which was 24th in the nation among offensive linemen with 548 pass-block snaps or more.