Notre Dame has had almost as many players in the training room as on the practice this week after a rash of injuries over the last few weeks. On Thursday though, Brian Kelly offered up about as optimistic of an injury report as could have been expected given the mounting injuries his team has endured.
Here’s a full rundown of all of the injury updates Kelly offered up on Thursday.
- As we reported a little earlier, Louis Nix will return to the field for Notre Dame this weekend after missing the last two games with a knee injury. Nix will start at NT for Notre Dame with sophomore Jarron Jones backing him up instead of Tyler Stockton. Jones played a little NT last weekend in relief and will get more extended time there against Pitt.
- Jones will be backing up Nix because Kona Schwenke is out as reported earlier this week. Brian Kelly said on Thursday that they have put Schwenke in a cast for 10 days to really immobilize his foot as opposed to just putting him in a boot. After the cast comes off they will know his status, but are hopeful he’s back for BYU.
- Ishaq Williams started some range of motion activities this week and will use the bye week to get in some heavy cardio to get back in playing shape. Kelly’s expectation is that Williams will be practicing for BYU too.
- Chris Watt has surprised the staff this week with how well he has played after not being able to play against Navy. Watt’s taken almost all of the first team reps this week and it looks like he will be a full go for this weekend.
- Sheldon Day should be fine for this weekend as well as long as he doesn’t fall on or tweak the ankle that’s bothered him since earlier this season.
- Austin Collinsworth was cleared to practice today after taking part in non-contact drills on Wednesday. Collinsworth will be able to play this weekend.
- Elijah Shumate has looked good in practice this week and was able to cut loose. Shumate’s been bothered by a hamstring injury the last few weeks but should be good to go this weekend and will be one of four safeties used along with Collinsworth, starter Matthias Farley, and Eliar Hardy.
All and all, it looks like everyone who could possibly play this weekend will play barring any last minute setbacks like the one Watt suffered in warmups last week. Schwenke and Williams we knew would be out already but it was good to hear that both are progressing to the point that both should be back for BYU. Notre Dame is going to need all hands on deck for the Cougars in two weeks and especially in three weeks when the Irish travel to Palo Alto to take on a Stanford team that is currently up 20-0 over #3 Oregon.
Thanks for the update, Frank.
However, if there’s one thing I’ve learned during BK’s tenure,
who he says is ready to go often ends up not playing!