Marcus Freeman provides Notre Dame injury updates entering fall

Notre Dame is entering fall camp with, for the most part, a healthy squad. Though head coach Marcus Freeman updated reporters on one long-term injury as the Irish got into camp.

Speaking with media during the first week of camp, Freeman announced that linebacker Kahanu Kia is out for the season with a torn ACL. Beyond Kia, a trio of players who were coming into camp bouncing back from injuries are looking strong in the return-to-play protocol, Freeman said.

“Kahanu Kia is out, he tore his ACL this summer and had surgery. He’ll be out,” Freeman said.

The trio of players that are getting back into the flow: Tight ends Mitchell Evans and Kevin Bauman, plus star cornerback Benjamin Morrison.

Freeman describe the trio as limited, but seemed optimistic about their timelines.

“Mitchell Evans and Kevin Bauman, and Benjamin Morrison, all returning to play, they all practiced today in a limited role, but all are in return-to-play protocol,” Freeman said.

Evans is entering his senior season for the Irish. He played in eight games in 2023, catching 29 passes for 422 yards and a touchdown. He’s expected to be a potential breakout piece in 2024.

Bauman, a fifth-year senior, was kept out of action in 2023 due to injury. In his career, he’s got five catches for 59 yards.

Morrison is considered one of the best cornerbacks in the nation. In 25 games across two seasons, Morrison has nine interceptions and 14 passes defensed. He’s been one of the most productive cornerbacks in the nation and is expected to continue his lockdown play in 2024.

Freeman is excited about his new-look offensive staff

Notre Dame has a new-look offense going into 2024. Still, Freeman just wants it to excel in whatever identity it takes on.

Freeman discussed that side of the football for the Fighting Irish during an appearance on ‘First Take’ on ESPN. While there’s plenty of interest in the unit’s new coordinator and pieces, he said he’ll take whatever he can get from them depending on what they’re most efficient with and best at.

“I think, each year, you’ve got to figure out what you have to do to have success, right? In the past year, we were having more success running the football, right? I think we have the ability this year to be able to throw it,” said Freeman. “We’ve got a new offensive coordinator in Mike Denbrock who came from LSU. I’m excited for the explosive plays that our offense is going to be able to produce.”

Notre Dame’s offense has finished 42nd under Tommy Rees and then seventh under Gerad Parker over Freeman’s two seasons. The two years averaged out to 35.5 points per game. It was fairly balanced too at 226.8 passing yards and 187.4 rushing yards per game.

Now, although with a third offensive coordinator in three years, Freeman has a lot to work with. They bring back four of their top-seven pass catchers and their second through fourth leading rushers, which is a nice foundation even though their offensive line lost some very key names. Still, they brought in six offensive transfers out of their nine total, including QB Riley Leonard and WRs Beaux Collins and Kris Mitchell.