Notre Dame Getting Healthy Heading Into Ohio State Game

Notre Dame is trending in the right direction heading into Saturday night’s primetime matchup against Ohio State. The Fighting Irish had a handful of players who missed last weekend’s 41-17 home win over Central Michigan, but Irish head coach Marcus Freeman expects most of them to be available this weekend.

Middle linebacker JD Bertrand missed the Central Michigan game after suffering a concussion against North Carolina State the previous weekend. Freeman said on Monday that Bertrand “will be back” to face the Buckeyes.

Safety DJ Brown missed the game against the Chippewas as well with a minor hamstring strain. He was held out as a precautionary measure and Freeman also says he will be back in action this week. Bertrand and Brown are the team’s No. 8 and 9 tacklers, respectively, even after missing last week’s game.

Tight end Mitchell Evans also missed the Central Michigan game with a concussion. It is not one hundred percent that he will play this week, but he is trending in the right direction.

"He’s a little behind, maybe,” Freeman said of Evans’ recovery. "But I expect him back by Saturday.”

The other two-deep player who is hopeful to return to action this week is defensive tackle Gabriel Rubio. The junior defensive tackle suffered a knee injury in Notre Dame’s Aug. 26 win over Navy and has not played since.

"He will start practicing Tuesday,” Freeman said of Rubio. "So, expect him, if all goes well this week, to be able to go on Saturday.”

Sophomore tight end Eli Raridon continues to recover from a torn ACL he suffered last October. Freeman says Raridon will not be back this week.

Be sure to check out the Irish Breakdown message board, the Champions Lounge

Irish Breakdown Content

2023 Scholarship Chart
2023 Football Schedule

Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense

2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense

———————

Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.

BECOME A MEMBER

Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!

Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @SeanStires
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook

Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter