Leonard Moore injury update: Report reveals change in Notre Dame CB's status for Arkansas game

On Thursday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore is questionable to play against Arkansas on Saturday. Thamel also noted that starting Notre Dame nickel back DeVonta Smith is now probable to play against the Razorbacks.

If either of the two players are able to take the field for the Fighting Irish on Saturday, it’d be a massive boost to the team’s defense. Smith injured his ankle in Notre Dame’s pregame warmups against Texas A&M in Week 3.

In turn, Notre Dame was forced to play redshirt freshman Karson Hobbs. The Aggies attacked Hobbs, targeting him 13 times on 35 coverage snaps. Hobbs allowed six receptions for 107 yards.

Leonard Moore’s return would be even more beneficial for the Fighting Irish. Moore didn’t play in Notre Dame’s win over Purdue this past weekend due to a right ankle injury.

Moore started in Notre Dame’s first two games of the season and recorded three tackles, two pass breakups and an interception. As a freshman last season, he appeared in all 16 of Notre Dame’s outings and made 10 starts.

He finished the season with 48 tackles, 11 passes defended, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. Ahead of the 2025 campaign, Moore was named an Associated Press Preseason All-American First-Team selection and a Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List member.

Notre Dame’s defense will be put to the test on Saturday. Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green boasts 1,191 passing yards and 12 touchdowns this season, compared to four interceptions.

Green’s arm is far from his only weapon. He’s also Arkansas’ leading rusher, with 360 yards and two scores in the ground game this fall. Notre Dame’s defense can’t afford another weak outing after allowing Purdue to score 30 points in Week 4.

 In the win, Notre Dame’s defense allowed 303 passing yards. On Monday, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman revealed how he intends to mend Notre Dame’s defensive mistakes.

“How do you get them to execute it at a better level or play with the right fundamentals? I think it still starts with a buy-in of, ‘It’s me.’ Everybody,” Freeman said. “Right now, we gotta make sure in our football facility that we’re not pointing the finger at a call. We’re not pointing the finger at, ‘If he would’ve called something else or if he would’ve…’

“We’re pointing the finger at ourselves: ‘What am I not doing to execute this call the right way?’ If I’m confused, then you better speak up and say something, because you’re gonna be held accountable. But if we do this and we do this, we’ll get it fixed, and that’s the challenge during tough times.”

Notre Dame and Arkansas will square off at noon ET on Saturday. The game will air live on ABC.