CJ Carr injury update: Notre Dame freshman QB talks recovery
CJ Carr is on the mend. In his first comments to reporters since August, the Notre Dame football freshman quarterback said he is almost back to full strength after suffering an injury in his throwing elbow during practice in September.
“I feel like I’m probably 90-95% back to what I was,” Carr told reporters during Sugar Bowl media day in New Orleans on Monday. “I still really haven’t gotten into a deep one yet. But if I needed to, I definitely could. I feel like the arm’s healed well and feel confident in its ability.”
On Oct. 7, Irish coach Marcus Freeman announced Carr was injured in practice “a few weeks ago” and dealt with elbow soreness. Carr’s throwing regime was scaled back during pregame warmups and media practice viewing opportunities compared to the other Notre Dame quarterbacks. However, he has started throwing more regularly as part of his recovery.
“I’m in the fifth week of my throwing program,” Carr said. “It’s about three times a week, I throw. Don’t tell (Notre Dame football athletic trainer) Rob (Hunt), but I’ve been trying to sneak some more throws in there every day.
“So, right now, I feel unbelievable. If I needed to, I could do anything I was asked to do.”
CJ Carr signed with Notre Dame as a talented high school recruit.
A product of Saline (Mich.) High, Carr arrived in South Bend about one year ago. He began practicing with the team ahead of the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. Carr was just weeks removed from his 11-game senior season in which he completed 199-285 passes for 2,787 yards and 24 touchdowns while throwing just 9 interceptions.
According to the On3 Industry Ranking, he was the No. 68 overall player and No. 6 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class.
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With senior starter Riley Leonard and backups Steve Angeli and Kenny Minchey, Carr entered the season as the team’s scout team quarterback. Still, he made his collegiate debut in a lopsided 66-7 victory against Purdue in Week 3, playing four snaps.
According to Carr, he would not have been able to play with the injury during his high school season if it happened a year ago.
“Probably not,” he said. “I tried to, honestly. I tried not to tell the staff (because) I wanted to get out there and throw a little bit more. But yeah, (I) couldn’t really throw at all. So it feels good to be able to throw the ball and spin it.”
With Leonard gone after this season, Carr will battle for the 2025 starting quarterback job alongside Angeli and Minchey. And he’ll be ready to roll once the competition commences.
“I feel really good to be able to perform in the spring and the next few weeks,” he said.
