Jeremiyah Love injury update: ESPN broadcast gives latest on Notre Dame star

The ESPN broadcast had an update after Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love went down with injury Saturday against Stanford. Love left the game in the first quarter after being tackled and appearing to take a knee to his rib.

The running back entered the injury tent for further evaluation before later returning to the sidelines. Sideline reporter Stormy Buonantony offered the latest during the broadcast, saying Love had not gone back to the locker room just yet. However, while she was in the middle of her report, that changed.

“It looked as if he was stretching out his back to stretch out his lower abdomen area,” Buonantony said. “He kept pushing on it as he just exited the tent a moment ago. He’s walking back. I don’t know if he’s ultimately gonna go back to the locker room or not, but he was smiling with his teammates before he had to head back into the tent. It looked like the trainer was cutting up a piece of foam to put on his padding, but now he’s heading back.”

After going back to the locker room, Love later returned again to the sidelines. The running back also had his helmet on this time, prompting another update from Buonantony.

“Jeremiyah Love is not on the field, but he is on the sideline with his helmet strapped up,” she said. “A Notre Dame staffer told me when they took him back to the locker room, it was to get fitted for a rub protector, since he’s come out after taking that knee in the midsection that we saw earlier.

“He was warming up and did some high knees. He gave a thumbs up to the crowd when they asked him if he’s OK. Got some good applause and then did a little bit of a King Kong pounding on the chest, so I guess the protector is working.”

Ultimately, Love was able to return to the game late in the second quarter just before halftime. So it appears the worries regarding his health have been assuaged as Notre Dame hangs on to a 28-3 lead with less than two minutes to go until halftime.

Earlier in the game, Jerimiyah Love scored his 21st touchdown of the season to set a new Notre Dame record, tying Jerome Bettis. Love had rushed for 1,306 yards and 17 touchdowns while adding 274 receiving yards and three touchdowns entering Saturday’s contest.