UM receiver LaRon Byrd out 0 to 12 games with leg injury

Randy Shannon before his interrogators.

The 13th-ranked Miami Hurricanes suffered a setback to their receiving corps earlier this month when explosive junior slot man Thearon Collier left school due to “personal issues.” Collier, the team’s best punt returner, will likely transfer to USC to sit under the tutelage of head coach Lane Kiffin and, God willing, an English teacher.

Wrote Collier on Facebook, “THS MY LAST WEEK IN MIA B4 I HEAD OFF TO CALI TO PERSUIT MY FOOTBALL CAREER …”

Departures of this kind are nothing new for the Hurricanes, a team that regularly sees top talent leave to persuit football careers at once-inferior programs. Collier’s West Coast swing does, however, shake up a depth chart that got even thinner Monday when second-leading receiver LaRon Byrd missed practice with a leg injury.

Byrd, a junior, was seen on campus walking with a brace and crutches, but the severity of the injury is still unclear. When accosted by local reporters, head coach Randy Shannon shed some light on the situation.

(Note: word-for-word answers via the Miami Herald in grey)

Coach, how is LaRon doing?

“He’s doing fine. I told you guys the other day some guys are nicked — we’re going to sit them out.”

Hopefully, it’s serious. But we don’t think it is…

“You want it to be serious, though, huh? You go around that corner, you’re going to see about five guys riding [exercise] bikes; they didn’t practice today.”

We’re just trying to do our job, coach. You mad at us?

“You guys try hard. I’m not mad. I’m just joking around with you.”

Wait… so LaRon will be back for afternoon practice?

“Nope.”

Let’s say a player is out for [week two's game against] Ohio State. Would you tell us?

“I keep telling you guys [and] you keep trying. I’m telling you, I will let all you guys know when a guy is going to be done for the season, like I always do.”

Byrd will have an MRI later this week to determine whether or not the leg needs to be amputated.

- Robbie