Jordan Botelho injury update: Marcus Freeman gives surprising news on Week 1 status

On Tuesday, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman confirmed defensive end Jordan Botelho will be available in the Fighting Irish’s season-opener against Miami on Sunday, per On3’s Tyler Horka. Botelho is returning from a torn pectoral muscle and significant knee injury.

Botelho suffered the pectoral injury in June and initially wasn’t expected to return for four months. However, Botelho rapidly recovered from the injury and was spotted participating in practice only weeks after he tore the muscle.

Botelho started in the first three games of the 2024 campaign, but his season was cut short when suffered a torn right patellar tendon. With both injuries healed, Botelho is ready to take the field for the Fighting Irish.

It’s a massive boost for Notre Dame. Botelho appeared in all 13 of Notre Dame’s games in 2023 and made 12 starts. He tallied 32 tackles and four sacks. In the 2022 campaign, Botelho notched 4.5 sacks. Notre Dame defensive line coach Al Washington knows how valuable Botelho can be for the Fighting Irish.

“I’m excited to get him back,” Washington said. “He’s worked his tail off to get back to where he is now, and when the time comes, man, you’ll see ’12’ going out there smashing people.”

Jordan Botelho is only one piece in a Notre Dame defense that is expected to be stellar this fall. The Fighting Irish are returning six starters from a defense that only gave up 307.4 yards per game last season, the 11th-least in the nation.

Notre Dame’s defense will undoubtedly be put to the test in its Week 1 matchup with Miami. The Hurricanes had the No. 1 offense in college football last season and are expected to be difficult to stop again this year.

Nonetheless, experts are confident in the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame is a 2.5-point favorite over Miami, according to BetMGM. Oddsmakers aren’t the only ones buying Notre Dame stock ahead of this season. During an appearance on The Herd earlier this month, college football expert Phil Steele raved about Notre Dame’s potential.

“They’ve got a new quarterback this year in CJ Carr but he’s surrounded by talent,” Steele said. “I love the (Jeremiyah) Love, (Jadarian) Price combo at running back. It’s my No. 2 running back core in the country. No. 3 offensive line. I like the additions they got at receiver and defensively, each unit is rated inside my top five. And they’re solid on special teams. 

“I’ve got the Irish favored in all 12 games this year. Tough opener… but I think Notre Dame is a legit national championship contender and I think Marcus Freeman is doing a tremendous job.”