Leonard Moore injury update: Star Notre Dame CB OUT for Arkansas
Notre Dame junior cornerback Leonard Moore is a game-time decision for Week 5 at Arkansas, the Irish announced on social media Saturday morning. But about 45 minutes before kickoff, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Moore is out for the contest.
Moore was questionable with an ankle injury, which he suffered during Notre Dame’s 41-40 loss to Texas A&M in Week 3.
Additionally, redshirt senior nickel back DeVonta Smith (ankle) and redshirt senior kicker Noah Burnette (hip) are available and are expected to make their return against the Razorbacks after missing last week’s win over Purdue. Both key starters were listed as questionable on Monday’s injury report, but they were upgraded to probable on Thursday.
Moore missed Week 4 at Purdue, but the Irish hoped to get him back for a pivotal game against Arkansas, who features a top-five offense in yards per play.
Notre Dame’s defense has its hands full against the Razorbacks, with or without Moore. The Irish enter Week 5 tied for No. 96 in the nation in opponent yards per play.
“We gotta go to work and really work on improving as we get ready for an extremely talented Arkansas team,” Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman said Monday. “The challenge for the defense doesn’t get any easier when we face a top-five offense.”
During the second quarter against the Aggies, Moore went down when junior linebacker Drayk Bowen collided with his right leg. The 6-foot-2 corner from Round Rock, Texas was lucky to avoid a catastrophic injury, given the nature of the collision.
Fortunately for the Irish, he returned after 3 snaps and intercepted Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed a short time later. However, his ankle flared up the next day and he appeared on Notre Dame’s official injury report the day after that, and he has not played since.
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After a hiccup in Week 1, when he got beat on a double move for a touchdown, Moore returned to his Freshman Defensive Player of the Year and preseason All-American form against the Aggies. He finished with a 90.8 Pro Football Focus coverage grade, and he only allowed 1 reception for 11 yards on 4 targets.
“He’s as good as I’ve been around at that position,” Freeman said.
Moore’s interception showcased his brilliance as a cover corner, playing perfect bump-and-run technique and turning to face the football at the perfect time.
With Moore out last week, the Irish moved junior Christian Gray to the boundary and elevated true freshman Mark Zackery IV to the starting lineup at field cornerback. Purdue went after Zackery for 6 receptions on 8 targets, resulting in 93 yards and a touchdown.
When Moore comes back, though, Freeman has entertained the possibility of abandoning the boundary/field model and having him shadow the opponent’s best receiver.
“If we need to match him up with the best wide receiver no matter where he’s at, we will,” Freeman said. “We have considered that. We’ve talked about it. We need to get him available and ready to go before we can do that.”
Notre Dame and Arkansas kick off at noon ET (11 a.m. local time) on Saturday at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark.