Christian Gray injury update: Why Notre Dame starting CB didn't play vs. Boston College

Five days before Notre Dame football’s (6-2) road contest against Boston College, head coach Marcus Freeman revealed junior cornerback Christian Gray has dealt with an undisclosed injury. 

Before Saturday’s game, the program disclosed that it was a left hip injury, putting his playing status in question. By game time, the Irish determined that it hindered him enough to rule him out from contributing in their 25-10 win.

“He tried, but we just thought it was best to probably hold him out this game,” Freeman told reporters in his postgame news conference Saturday. “We just didn’t think he could consistently get his job done with his injury. We’ll see how he feels next week. But he practiced. He was getting closer. But as it got to game time, he wasn’t ready to go.” 

According to Blue & Gold beat reporter Jack Soble, Gray warmed up pregame and looked like he would potentially give it a go. But by game time, Gray remained on the sideline and freshman cornerback Mark Zackery IV started in his place, contributing a tackle.

Without Gray, the Irish secondary surrendered 269 passing yards to Boston College quarterbacks Grayson James and Dylan Lonergan. That was the third most air yards that defensive coordinator Chris Ash’s unit has allowed this season — 59 yards less than their season-high 328 passing yards allowed against USC two weeks ago.

In the Oct. 18 game against the Trojans — Notre Dame’s last game before last week’s bye — Gray gave up 179 of those yards on 8 catches. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava targeted Gray seven other times, but those passes fell incomplete. Gray broke up one of those throws, which registered as his sixth pass breakup of the year.

Earlier this season, Freeman told reporters that Gray’s struggles have been related to technique. Then, on Monday, he expanded, saying injuries have limited his performance.

“It starts with health for him,” Freeman said. “He’s a guy that’s pretty injured and banged up, but the thing about Christian is he’s such a tough, tough individual that he never wants to come out of the game, never wants to tell somebody how he’s truly feeling. We know he’s banged up without him even saying it. We were proactive of evaluating him and his body and what areas need to recover. That’s where a lot of his issues came from. Injuries caused him to play with poor technique in certain situations.”

Before missing Saturday’s game, Gray had started in every other outing this season. He has also logged a team-high 472 snaps, 74 more than the next closest, sophomore safety Tae Johnson.

As Freeman pointed out, Gray’s inexperience is invaluable. And the Irish will aim to get him back for next Saturday’s game against Navy.

“I mean, you miss Christian because of the experience that he brings, right?” Freeman said. “He’s a guy that’s been out there a couple years, big game experience. He’s a really good player.”

BOX SCORE: No. 12 Notre Dame 25, Boston College 10