Notre Dame injury updates: Marcus Freeman shares status of multiple Fighting Irish players

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, like every other team by the end of the regular season, have been dealing with their share of injuries. Still, ahead of the College Football Playoff, head coach Marcus Freeman knows getting as many players back as possible is going to be vital for the Irish.

At the start of the week leading into their opening round Playoff game, Freeman shared an update on several injured Irish players who he knew would be and wouldn’t be available.

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“A couple injury updates,” Marcus Freeman said. “Howard Cross will be available. Devyn Ford available. Jeremiyah Love available. Bodie Kahoun will still be out. KK Smith will still be out and Kyngstonn [Viliamu-Asa] will still be out.”

Notre Dame is now coming off three weeks off from the end of the regular season to the start of the College Football Playoff. That time gave the Irish and Freeman time to get as healthy as possible for Indiana on Friday night.

Howard Cross being available is massive for Notre Dame. A star defensive lineman, he’s missed time late in the season after suffering an ankle injury. With him back, the Irish will have the anchor for the defensive line back in the fold.

Running backs Devyn Ford and Jeremiyah Love have also been dealing with their own injury issues. In the case of Ford, it’s been a groin injury that he suffered in the Florida State game. Love, meanwhile, left the USC game with knee pain. Both will be available for the Playoff, though, which is massive for a Notre Dame team that leans on the ground game.

Linebackers Bodie Kahoun and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa will both be out for the game, testing Notre Dame’s depth in the middle of the defense. Then, KK Smith, a wide receiver, will also be unavailable for Marcus Freeman on Friday.

This comes in a season where Notre Dame has consistently had its depth tested by injuries, particularly on the offensive line and in the secondary. Despite that, Marcus Freeman has found a way to have a remarkable season that led to the Irish hosting a first round Playoff game.

That first round game is going to come against an in-state opponent as the Indiana Hoosiers make the trip to South Bend on Friday, December 20th. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EST.