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Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman provides postgame injury update on starting WR

Kyle Kellyby: Kyle Kelly09/01/24ByKyleKelly
Marcus Freeman
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman. (Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports)

An injury in the second quarter kept Notre Dame wide receiver Jordan Faison from contributing in the second half after posting 2 catches for 12 yards in his sophomore season debut. The final one in the No. 7 Fighting Irish’s 23-13 victory over No. 20 Texas A&M on Saturday night in College Station sidelined him for the remainder of the game.

Afterward, coach Marcus Freeman told reporters it was an ankle injury, which should not be a long-term concern.

“I don’t know much — he said it was an ankle,” Freeman said. “(Faison) said, ‘Coach, I’m good. I’m done for this game, but I’m good. So, I have confidence he’ll be back. I don’t know what the timetable is.”

Faison came up limping after Aggies defensive back Jayvon Thomas brought him down following a 6-yard gain. It appeared that he could not put full weight on his right leg. When the Irish took the field for the second half, Faison was not wearing his helmet or shoulder pads.

The 5-foot-10, 184-pound pass catcher also left his green cleats in the locker room and sported navy blue sneakers instead. He appeared to have his right foot wrapped.

Multiple Notre Dame wide receivers contribute amid Jordan Faison’s absence

Notre Dame’s Week 1 win was not the prettiest passing performance. Quarterback Riley Leonard finished the game 18-30 for 158 yards and no touchdowns. About half of those yards (74) came through the first two quarters. Faison played most snaps at field wide receiver within the first 24 minutes over transfer Kris Mitchell, a Florida International product.

Mitchell had a 12-yard catch in his Notre Dame debut. Including Faison and Mitchell, six different wide receivers caught passes from Leonard.

“There were some guys that stepped up,” Freeman said. “We’re six deep right now and could be seven or eight. I’m really proud.”

Fellow transfer wide receiver Beaux Collins had a game-high 62 yards on 5 catches. Yet, the chemistry between him and Leonard is just beginning.

“I looked at Riley a couple of times and said, ‘Trust him now,'” Freeman said.

Leonard has at least 11 more guaranteed opportunities to refine his connection with the Notre Dame pass catchers. And if the report Faison gave Freeman on Saturday night holds up, it will not be long before he returns to game action.

On Monday, the Notre Dame football communications staff will provide an injury report before next week’s game against Northern Illinois. More information about Faison’s status will be available then.

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