Notre Dame, Ind (UHND.com) – Senior wide receiver, Rhema McKnight, will miss this weekend’s Michigan State after suffering a knee injury against Michigan this past weekend. The extent of McKnight’s injury was not revealed by Charlie Weis at this press conference Tuesday other than saying he was not lost for the year.
“Although he’s day to day as we all know, he’s going to miss this week’s game. We’ll revisit him again next week, but he’s not lost for the season like all the rumors and everything,” said Weis before fielding questions from the media.
By law, injuries to college players are confidential and do not need to be revealed such as injuries in the NFL where full injury reports are mandatory. For this reason injuries in college football are usually kept close to the vest by coaches even if the player is ok with the information being divulged. Weis did add that, “Rhema had a slight procedure done on his leg.”
If this injury does cost McKnight extensive time, it would be a major blow to the Irish offense. McKnight is the best wide receiver on the Irish roster and is the most explosive with the ball in his hands. Rhema has the ability to turn a quick slant into a touchdown because of his ability in the open field.
Don’t look for Weis to change the offense however. “Next guy goes in. That’s all that happens. It’s always been that way. It’s the only way I know,” Weis said after being asked if the offense would change without Rhema.
In McKnight’s absence, look for Matt Shelton to step up. He was slowed by off-season surgery but according to Weis is back at full strength. “He was close in the first game. Just the game didn’t force me to get into that situation. But I’m glad he’s sitting there waiting in the wings and chomping at the bit.”
Shelton is not the only option for Irish with reserves Chase Anastacio, David Grimes, and DJ Hord likely to get extra reps in practice. Weis said of Grimes, “I think David has great, great ball skills and make them miss ability both as a receiver and returner.”
Hopefully Rhema will not need to miss extensive time, but that injury didn’t look good from any angle. Until he is ready to return, we will most likely hear that he is day to day.
