The Notre Dame football team will be without defensive tackles Jason Onye and Francis Brewu for today’s matchup against Boston College, according to the official pregame injury update.
Both players sustained knee injuries during the team’s Oct. 31 victory over Navy, which forced them to miss last week’s win against Miami, as reported by NDInsider.
The absence of Onye and Brewu contributes to a significant trend for the Fighting Irish, pushing the combined total of missed games for key defensive members to at least 33, per the South Bend Tribune.
Onye is set to reach 8.25 missed games, a tally that includes an earlier ankle injury sustained against Wisconsin, while Brewu will reach 2.5 missed games following today’s contest.
The team continues to manage other long-term absences as well, with safety Brauntae Johnson still sidelined following foot surgery.
Additionally, cornerback DJ McKinney and linebacker Drayk Bowen remain out for extended periods due to ankle injuries, according to Yahoo Sports.
In the wake of these defensive gaps, Oregon transfer Tionne Gray has seen increased activity on the field.
Gray recorded a career-high 43 defensive snaps during the recent game against Miami, playing alongside starter Armel Mukam, as noted by the South Bend Tribune.
The coaching staff remains focused on navigating this stretch of the season while dealing with these persistent roster challenges.
The status of the defensive line remains a primary concern for the team as they look to maintain their performance levels despite the ongoing medical setbacks.
These developments highlight the depth concerns facing Notre Dame as they prepare to face an unranked Boston College squad, as reported by USA Today Sports.