Marcus Freeman addresses replacement options following Avery Davis' injury

Avery Davis, a sixth-year player and team captain for Notre Dame, will miss the 2022 season with a torn ACL. This comes after he missed the final month of the 2021 season with an ACL injury to his other knee. Davis’ injury leaves the Irish with a lot less depth at the wide receiver position, which head coach Marcus Freeman addressed with the media.

Marcus Freeman said that using more tight ends could be an option, as well as moving a defensive back to the offensive side of the ball. However, he also said that they haven’t made any decision yet.

“We just found out last night and so it will be something that me, Coach Rees, and Coach Golden we all discuss what’s best for this team. There’s a lot of guys that can help us,” Marcus Freeman explained that there are a lot of guys who can help them have success.

Marcus Freeman knows that losing Avery Davis is a big deal to the team. His hope, however, is that there is enough depth to fill in and replace him. That will require young players to step up for Notre Dame.

“Losing Avery Davis is a huge blow. But, you know, the outlook on that room to me is still good. You know, we’ve got some guys that have to step up.”

“It just means that it’s an opportunity for other guys to step up,” Marcus Freeman emphasized.

Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees was also asked about the injury to Avery Davis. He said, “Offensively, we’ve got enough talent. We’ve got enough talent. It’s my job to put our guys in the right spots.”

Tyler Buchner could have benefitted from Avery Davis’ experience

Marcus Freeman recently named Tyler Buchner, a sophomore, the starting quarterback at Notre Dame. Buchner, who missed his senior year of high school due to the pandemic and played only a little bit as a true freshman in 2021, could have relied on Avery Davis’ experience and leadership.

Tyler Buchner praised Notre Dame’s young receivers, saying, “I don’t even think of them as young anymore. They make plays every day.”

In a ranking of the most important players on Notre Dame, Tyler Buchner came in as the team’s most important player for 2022. Now, he’ll have to live up to those expectations without the benefit of playing with Avery Davis.