Marcus Freeman: Notre Dame tight end Cooper Flanagan (Achilles) 'getting closer' to return

Cooper Flanagan exited the medical tent in tears on Jan. 2 at Caesars Superdome as his teammates consoled him. He knew his 2024 season was over, and much of his 2025 season was compromised, too.

Flanagan tore his left Achilles tendon during Notre Dame’s win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, and he hasn’t played since. But for the first time in 2025, the Irish opened the door for the junior tight end’s return.

Flanagan is questionable for Week 7 vs. NC State, the Irish announced Monday. He had been listed as “out” for each of Notre Dame’s first five games.

“He’s getting closer,” Irish head coach Marcus Freeman said. “He started to get a little bit of reps last week in practice. We’ll see. We’re gonna try to add a couple more reps to him in practice to try to work with that capacity of how much he can do in a game.”

Flanagan dressed in full pads for Notre Dame’s Week 6 win over Boise State on Saturday, but he did not play. The Irish have done that in the past in ramp-up periods for players with long-term injuries, such as last December when offensive lineman Charles Jagusah returned from a torn pectoral muscle.

Freeman sounded slightly pessimistic that Flanagan will make his 2025 debut against the Wolfpack, but he was very much enthused at the prospect of getting him back in the near future.

“He will be a huge addition when he’s ready,” Freeman said. “I don’t know if it’ll be this week, next week. But he’s getting closer.”

Flanagan caught 5 passes for 74 yards and 3 touchdowns in his first two seasons out of Concord (Calif.) De La Salle, but the majority of his value comes in the run game. Flanagan was a steady blocker for the Irish in 2024, playing primarily in 12 (one running back, two tight ends) personnel.

Flanagan averaged just over 20 snaps per game last year in 13 games, including four starts.

“It’s the value, right?” Freeman said. “We need to make sure that when he’s back and ready to roll, we can get the most value out of Cooper Flanagan.”

At this point, Freeman explained, Flanagan’s injury isn’t an issue anymore as much as building the strength — the “capacity,” as he called it — to contribute on the field.

When he has it, though, Notre Dame will welcome Flanagan back into its offensive game plan with open arms.

“He’s an impact player,” Freeman said. “When we’re able to get him back, you’ll see him on the field, for sure.”