Mack Brown updates status on Josh Downs ahead of Notre Dame matchup

On Monday, North Carolina head coach Mack Brown confirmed that receiver Josh Downs is practicing and could potentially play on Saturday versus Notre Dame, as first reported by On3’s Matt Zenitz. Downs suffered a lower-body injury in the Tar Heels’ season opener versus Florida A&M and missed the next two games.

Although Downs could be available, Brown described a dilemma he’s facing now with splitting snaps among the contributors.

“We will have to look at them during the week, they have to get hit, they have to be able to practice and stay healthy,” Brown said. “And how many plays can they play when they’ve been out so long… The other thing is since you’re playing well, how do you get the number of plays properly for guys that have been doing well? You don’t just throw them out.”

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UNC escaped Appalachian State in overtime and beat Georgia State without the speedy wideout but getting him back will improve their chances versus the Fighting Irish. Currently, the ESPN matchup predictor gives UNC a 46.5% chance to win while Vegas spread is just -1 in favor of Marcus Freeman’s first-year squad.

“Josh is the best player on our team and we haven’t had him since the first game,” Brown said while praising his team for stepping up despite the absence of several key players. “I don’t think there’s a question that he’s the best player on the team.”

There’s also more good news out of UNC practice this week. Last season’s second-leading receiver, Antoine Green, is back on the field after missing the first three games. Green suffered a collarbone injury in a fall scrimmage but could return on Saturday. In 2021, he had 31 catches for 612 yards and five touchdowns.

Downs returns in time for Notre Dame game

In UNC’s Week 0 win over Florida A&M, Downs hauled in nine catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns. With the junior sidelined, redshirt freshman Kobe Paysour has led the Tar Heels this season in receptions and receiving yards with 14 for 172 yards.

Downs broke UNC single-season records last season with 101 catches and 1,335 receiving yards. The catch total led the ACC and ranked fifth nationally. The yardage ranked second in the conference and 11th nationally. He was also third nationally in yards after the catch with 754 and had a touchdown catch in eight straight games at one point, one shy of the program record set by Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice in 1947 and ’48.

Last season, Downs had 10 catches for 142 yards during the Tar Heels’ 44-34 loss to Notre Dame. The kickoff for this weekend’s game is at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

On3’s Matt Zenitz contributed to this report.