Riley Leonard injury update: Marcus Freeman reveals how Notre Dame QB practiced amid shoulder issue
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman gave a recent injury update on Thursday regarding the status of quarterback Riley Leonard. Who suffered an injury to the posterior labrum in his non-throwing shoulder last Saturday in Notre Dame’s 16-14 upset loss to Northern Illinois.
According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Leonard underwent an MRI on his left shoulder over the weekend and is expected to play in the team’s Week 3 matchup against Purdue. A status that Freeman confirmed according to the Blue and Gold in his Thursday press conference.
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“Nobody’s roles have changed,” Freeman said regarding the quarterback position. “Riley has had a really good week of practice. Has made some really good throws and done a really good job at decision-making, taking care of the football. Everybody else has done a great job too, but nobody’s been asked to do anything different.”
Leonard played in the entirety of Notre Dame’s Week 2 home opener, completing 20 of his 32 pass attempts for just 163 yards and two interceptions in a loss. A subpar performance that even sparked questions of the Fighting Irish potentially rolling with another quarterback prior to Leonard’s injury news.
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“No, there was no consideration of that,” Freeman said after Saturday’s loss regarding putting backup quarterback Steve Angeli in the game for Leonard. “We have a lot of belief in Riley and him running our offense.”
On Thursday, Freeman was also asked what it would take to put Angeli in the game this weekend during a matchup on the road against Purdue that’s seemingly a must-win game for the Fighting Irish. Dropping down from the No. 5 ranked team in the country to No. 18 following their upset loss with hopes of still making the 12-team College Football Playoff field.
“I don’t know if there’s an exact parameter,” Freeman said. “We have to have success. We have to move the ball. We got to score points. … But there was no consideration of changing Riley that last game.”
Leonard joined the Fighting Irish through the transfer portal this offseason following three seasons at Duke. Throwing for just 158 yards with zero touchdowns through the air or ground in Notre Dame’s Week 1 win over Texas A&M. With Leonard’s recent injury paired with his offensive deficiencies so far this season making the quarterback position fascinating to monitor moving forward.