ND’s Jaylon Smith has ‘significant’ knee injury after Fiesta Bowl
Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith left Friday’s Fiesta Bowl game against the Ohio State Buckeyes with a knee injury that head coach Brian Kelly called “significant” after the game.
Smith was helped off the field in the first quarter of the game after his foot appeared to get caught in the turf, and he grabbed his knee in pain. His leg was visibly bent in an awkward position and he was carted away for evaluation. At halftime, head coach Kelly announced Smith was out for the day.
The junior, who is considered a top prospect and potentialy high draft pick in the upcoming NFL draft, won the Butkus Award this season as college football’s top linebacker. The injury could ostensibly affect his stock.
• Notre Dame battles Ohio State in Fiesta Bowl
No. 7 Ohio State beat No. 8 Notre Dame 44–28.
- Jeremy Woo
