Notre Dame injury updates on Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Jeremiyah Love and Howard Cross III

On Sunday, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman provided injury updates on freshman linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (knee), sophomore running back Jeremiyah Love (leg) and graduate student Howard Cross III (ankle).

According to Freeman, Viliamu-Asa “will be out or right now” with an unexpected return date, while Love and Cross are both expected back when the Fighting Irish host Indiana in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Friday, Dec. 20.

Howard Cross III injury update

Freeman used the phrase “expected back” when describing Cross’ status after he missed the Virginia, Army and Southern Cal games. Cross went through a light pregame workout before the USC game Nov. 30 but did not play.

According to Blue & Gold beat reporter Jack Soble, Cross participated in early warmups at LA Memorial Coliseum before the Irish took on USC. He went through get-off and pass-rush drills with the Notre Dame defensive line before the Irish put helmets and shoulder pads on, moving slower than he normally does.

The sixth-year defensive tackle dressed for the game against the Trojans and was listed as available, but after full-squad stretching, he stood off to the side as the defensive line went through individual drills. Cross did not play against USC.

In the Irish’s 52-3 victory over the Florida State on Nov. 9, Cross suffered a first-half injury that left him limping off the field to the injury tent. The second-team All-America selection later was seen with his left ankle taped. However, he did not return to the game.

Afterward, Freeman said it was an ankle sprain that should not sideline him for an extended period. But it did keep him from playing the next three games.

“I don’t know if he could have came back,” Freeman said. “(They) didn’t even tell me that. Just said he’s out right now with an ankle sprain. I think by the time there was a possibility maybe he could have came back, it was over.”

Before the injury, the 6-foot-1, 288-pound Cross had 2 solo tackles. He has 23 tackles (13 solo), 5.5 for loss and 4 sacks on the season.

Jeremiyah Love injury update

During Sunday’s news conference, Freeman also said Love is “expected back.” 

In the third quarter of the Southern Cal game, CBS Sports revealed Love was out for the rest of the game with a knee injury.

On Notre Dame’s second drive of the third quarter, he caught a 17-yard pass from quarterback Riley Leonard. After the play, he came up gimpy, limped off the field and went to the medical tent. Before the injury, Love had 13 carries for 99 yards and 1 touchdown.

Last Monday, two days removed from the Irish’s Week 14 game, Blue & Gold reported Love would be expected to return for the College Football Playoff. He has 134 carries for 949 yards and 15 touchdowns on the season. Love has also added 22 catches for 206 yards and another 2 scores.

Kyngtonn Viliamu-Asa injury update

By the sounds of it, Viliamu-Asa is expected out longer than Cross and Love. Freeman said, “he will be out right now, and I don’t know when, right now, he’ll return. He’ll be out indefinitely right now.”

On Nov. 23, Freeman said Viliamu-Asa sustained a “knee sprain” against Army. Despite seeing six snaps in the first half in his first career start, he did not record any statistics. At the start of the second half, Blue & Gold observed Viliamu-Asa on the sideline without pads and a wrap on his right knee. 

Entering Week 13, Viliamu-Asa played a crucial role in the Irish defense, logging 262 snaps, most of which came at linebacker. He has posted 29 tackles (7 solo), 2.5 stops for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception and 1 pass breakup. Pro Football Focus also credited him with 9 run stops, 4 quarterback hurries and 2 QB hits.