In a sport where players take to the field seeking to inflict pain as much as they’re seeking to put up points, injuries are just an ugly but perpetual byproduct. As deep as these rosters are, coaches are constantly plugging gaps just as much as they’re selecting based on merit. Notre Dame and HC Marcus Freeman are going through this very ordeal. This is a travesty because their run to the National Championship was also marred by injuries last season. Especially at the line of scrimmage. Alas, Coach Freeman has revealed 2 key members of his roster he’ll have to contend without heading into fall.

The Irish were without the services of star D-lineman Rylie Mills for the majority of their playoff run. Mills was their best, most productive defensive tackle. Although they managed to traverse the field right to the Natty without him, you can’t help but wonder if a healthy Mills could’ve been the difference between hardware and solace. Now, Notre Dame has another cloud of uncertainty looming over the trenches. As if losing D-coordinator Al Golden to the allure of the NFL wasn’t enough of a setback. Likewise, Marcus Freeman also has an issue on the other side of the football. An already depleted skill-position corps. offensively has been hit with more bad news. When it rains, it pours.

Marcus Freeman has announced that defensive end Brenan Vernon has had to undergo MCL surgery. The junior injured his knee during spring practice on April 9th. Even though these practices are supposed to be non-contact, the nature of the game means players are at risk regardless. An MCL injury, after all, is something you can suffer on your own. This is a shame for Vernon, who was looking to break through into the rotation with a more prominent role and playing time. He has paid his dues over 2 years, and now it was his time to ascend through the depth chart. A few seniors departing opened a window of opportunity for him. However, he’ll miss action till July. This means he’ll miss summer camp and is now behind the 8-ball for when the season begins.

Elsewhere, junior tight end Cooper Flanagan is also sidelined and won’t be “truly full-go” in summer camp, according to Marcus Freeman. Flanagan, who’d broken into the starting unit towards the back end of last season, suffered an Achilles’ injury in the Sugar Bowl vs. Georgia. Since his subsequent surgery and rehab process began earlier than Vernon’s, he’s on a slightly different timeline. However, the nature of his injury being worse is a concern for Freeman. This is somebody the Irish need come fall, especially in an offense that’s about to be spearheaded by a new quarterback.

Marcus Freeman introduces a fresh wrinkle in the QB battle between CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey

What began as a three-way battle for the reins to Riley Leonard’s vacated QB1 spot has now condensed down to a duel. Steve Angeli hitting the transfer portal means CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey will now contend for the starter’s job. The prevailing notion is that Carr leads Minchey heading into the summer. But his supremacy is far from set in stone. Marcus Freeman, alongside the injury updates, also threw a spanner in the works in the Irish’s quarterback race.

Coach Freeman said he’s “open to having packages for two quarterbacks.” Although he could’ve simply been diplomatic and remained tight-lipped, it’s interesting he’d float this notion. Freeman also added, “There has to be one guy who’s the starting quarterback.” We’ve seen Texas, for instance, have certain packages in place for Arch Manning last season. To utilize his athleticism and rushing threat while Quinn Ewers was the starter. So it’s not unprecedented by any means, especially since CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey are different archetypes of players.

With his team in such a state of flux, the last thing Marcus Freeman needs are injuries. The standards he and the program set last season will be difficult to meet anyway. But the injuries really don’t help the cause. Guess this is why he’s paid the big bucks, eh? As Freeman and his offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock decide on a quarterback in the summer, they’d hope the supporting cast around them, as well as on the other side of the football, is whole.