Marcus Freeman Confirms Double Blow For Notre Dame While CJ Carr Dealt With Tough Future Update

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. Which 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, 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 ones. 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 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 now. Meaning he’ll miss summer camp, and is now behind the 8-ball for when the season begins.

Injury Updates per Freeman:

Brenan Vernon: MCL surgery

Jordan Botelho/Boubacar Traore/Kahanu Kia/Ashton Craig: Will be ready for summer workouts.

Davion Dixon/Guerby Lambert: Will be able to train this summer

Cooper Flanagan: Won’t be full go in the summer

— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) April 23, 2025

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.

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