Syracuse football sophomore running back and return man Malachi James may not be available on Friday evening when the Orange hosts nearby Colgate at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Earlier on Friday, his dad published a post on X indicating that the 5-foot-11, 200-pound James was not expected to play versus the Raiders. That X post was later deleted, although Javon Edmonds of Syracuse.com had a story on Friday stating that James will not suit up against Colgate (0-2).
James, a native of Willingboro, N.J., who also runs track and field for the 'Cuse, has two carries so far in the 2025 season, along with one kickoff return. In 2024, he appeared in six games and had eight kickoff returns for 152 yards.
Earlier this week, when the Orange (1-1) released its two-deep depth chart for the Colgate contest, James was listed as the projected starter for kickoff returns.
Syracuse football will be a bit thinner at running back on Friday night.
The Orange's starting running back, sophomore Yasin Willis, is also not expected to play on Friday evening against the Raiders, head coach Fran Brown disclosed on Thursday.
With Willis out, redshirt senior Will Nixon is expected to start at running back versus Colgate. James, though, had appeared to be the No. 3 running back for the 'Cuse at this point in the 2025 season.
Since James is out, Syracuse football coaches will have to turn to other running backs to back up Nixon. Who could be in the No. 2 spot at running back on Friday night?
Four running backs to keep an eye on are redshirt sophomore Tyler Chandler, sophomore Jaden Hart, freshman Malachi Coleman and fellow freshman Tylik Hill.
Coleman is from Roanoke, Va., while Hill hails from Asbury Park, N.J. Both were three-star prospects in the 2025 class. The industry-generated 247Sports Composite had Coleman as the No. 87 running back in this cycle, while Hill checked in at No. 109 at his position.
While I don't think that these injuries will prevent the Orange from crushing the Raiders, in the long term, it could be concerning if Willis and James are out. In week four, the 'Cuse will travel to No. 12 Clemson.