ETH hardware present but no software, safe?

[PCudd]

We have the below ETH pins connected to a KSZ8081RNACA-T with the pins setup in alternate function for ETH, there is no code for initialization of ETH as of now (future implementation). We have had a few processors die with 3.3v shorting to gnd, could this be a possible cause? These pins have subsequently been setup as "floating inputs".

ETH_RMII_REF_CLK

ETH_MDIO

ETH_RMII_CRS_DV

ETH_MII_RX_D0

ETH_RMII_RX_D1

ETH_RMII_TX_EN

ETH_RMII_RXD0

ETH_RMII_RXD1

[TDK]

Generally uninitialized pins are in analog or input mode, apart from some special ones.

Pins come up uninitialized, so you would run into the same issue even if your Ethernet code was present.

I doubt that’s your issue. More likely a power issue, inrush voltage spike, or similar event.