Junior tight end Mitchell Evans will unfortunately be sidelined for the remainder of the season for Notre Dame football. Coach Marcus Freeman made this announcement on Monday due to Evans tearing his ACL in his left knee.
During Saturday’s 58-7 win over Pittsburgh, Evans sustained a left leg injury towards the end of the third quarter. Despite gaining 13 yards on the play, he did not return to the game. Prior to the injury, Evans had an impressive performance with five catches for 66 yards out of six targets against the Panthers.
The injury occurred when Notre Dame was leading 37-0, driving for another touchdown, during a second-and-17 play from their own 48-yard line.
Evans, originally from Wadsworth, Ohio, has become a favored target for quarterback Sam Hartman. With 29 receptions for 422 yards and one touchdown, he currently leads the Irish in receiving stats. Holden Staes, a sophomore backup, follows suit among tight ends with 12 catches for 63 yards and four touchdowns.
Cooper Flanagan, a freshman, also saw playing time against Pitt and made his first career reception, a 19-yard touchdown pass thrown by backup quarterback Steve Angeli. Despite missing the first half of the season following his second ACL surgery, sophomore Eli Raridon has yet to make a college reception but is known for his strong blocking skills.
Analysis: When Notre Dame football needed someone to step up, Jaden Mickey came through
Coach Freeman expressed confidence in the tight ends room, stating that the production lost from Evans cannot be replaced by just one player. Every person in the room will be called upon to contribute more.
In more positive news, starting cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Cam Hart are expected to play in the upcoming game against unranked Clemson (4-4).
Morrison, a sophomore All-American candidate, was ruled out for the Pittsburgh game due to a quadriceps injury. Hart, a fifth-year senior co-captain, left the Pittsburgh game early in the third quarter with a shoulder or arm injury.
Morrison and Hart have played a combined total of 868 defensive snaps this season, with Morrison logging 441 and Hart with 427. They rank fourth and sixth on the team, respectively, in this category.
During the game against Pitt, freshman Christian Gray and sophomore Jaden Mickey filled in as replacements for Morrison and Hart. Both players had great performances, as they each recorded their first career interceptions. Mickey even returned his for a 43-yard touchdown.
In a previous game against Clemson, Morrison had a breakout performance with two interceptions, including a 96-yard interception return for a touchdown, making it the longest in Notre Dame Stadium history.
Klubnik, who was Clemson’s backup at the time of Morrison’s interception, has since thrown five interceptions this season alongside 13 touchdowns. He had a rough game last week with two interceptions during a loss to N.C. State.
Follow Notre Dame football writer Mike Berardino on social media @MikeBerardino.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman updates injury status
Alex Martin is your guide to the global phenomenon of football. With a focus on international leagues and tournaments, he provides match commentary, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of football.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72931262/usa_today_21973134.0.jpg "Stay Updated on Wisconsin Badgers Transfer Portal Movements for 2023-2024 Season")
