Notre Dame Expected To Be Healthier vs USC

Notre Dame should be healthier this weekend when the Fighting Irish host Southern Cal. A handful of players have missed time or been limited over the last two games at Duke and Louisville, but a majority of them are expected to be back in action Saturday night against the Trojans.

Defensive back Thomas Harper missed the Louisville game due concussion protocol, but Irish head coach Marcus Freeman said on Monday that the graduate transfer from Oklahoma State will be back to face USC.

Harper came off the bench in the season opener against Navy due to the Midshipmen’s unique triple option offense. He started the next five games. Louisville is the first game he has missed this season. He has 25 tackles and a pair of pass breakups to his credit.

Defensive tackle Gabe Rubio also missed Saturday’s game for undisclosed reasons. Freeman says he will also be back in action against USC. Rubio injured his knee against Navy and then missed the next three games after a “minor” procedure, per Freeman.

Jaden Greathouse missed the Duke game on Sept. 30 with a hamstring injury. The wide receiver played vs Louisville this past weekend but did not have a reception. While Greathouse was able to play against the Cardinals, Freeman said he was not 100% last week.

"He was practicing, but not to the full extent,” Freeman explained. "So, I would see him having an increased role as long as he continues to practice the way we need him to practice.”

Another wide receiver, Deion Colzie, has missed the last three games with a knee injury. He had a scope of his knee done two days before the Duke game. Freeman hopes to “maybe” see him back after Notre Dame’s first bye week and in time for the Pittsburgh game on Oct. 28.

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