Notre Dame football injury report: DT Gabriel Rubio OUT for USC

Notre Dame suffered a midweek injury during preparation for Saturday’s matchup against USC, one that could significantly impact its chances of winning the game.

Redshirt senior defensive tackle Gabriel Rubio suffered a left elbow injury during practice and is out for Week 8 vs. USC, the Irish announced Thursday afternoon. Rubio had 13 tackles and 0.5 sacks in six games (five starts) this season.

Rubio has struggled to stay on the field at times in the past, missing the first five games of the 2024 season with a fractured foot and four games in 2023 with multiple injuries. When healthy, he can be a force against the run in the middle of Notre Dame’s defense.

“We’ve had a committee at defensive tackle,” Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman said. “Obviously, you don’t want to lose Gabe, just from experience, from production, from a veteran guy.”

Redshirt senior nickel back DeVonta Smith, junior wide receiver Jaden Greathouse and junior tight end Cooper Flanagan remain questionable, which is what their status was on Monday.

Additionally, defensive end and key special teamer Loghan Thomas is a new name on the Notre Dame injury report after suffering a concussion during practice this week. Like Rubio, he is also out for Saturday’s game.

“With Loghan Thomas, the value he brings, more than anything on special teams, is something that not many people talk about,” Freeman said. “He’s a great special teams player for us and can come down there on some pass rush situations. We’re gonna have to find a good replacement for that role.”

While Rubio does not play in third-down, obvious passing situations, he had been Notre Dame’s best and most consistent run-stopping defensive tackle. In four seasons of at least 136 snaps, Rubio’s Pro Football Focus run defense grade has never dipped below 71.0. So far in 2025, it sits at 76.7.

With Rubio out, Notre Dame’s other rotational defensive tackles will all take on increased roles.

“You have a lot of confidence in those guys in that room, and spreading out that production amongst a couple guys,” Freeman said. “Everybody’s gotta step up a little bit more. [Jason] Onye, Donny [Hinish], Jared Dawson, Elijah Hughes, Cole Mullins. All those guys will have to continue to elevate their game.”

Rubio’s absence will negatively affect Notre Dame’s ability to stop the run, which is a priority against USC. The Trojans boast college football’s fourth-most-efficient run game at 6.38 yards per carry. They rank second in the Power Four behind only Vanderbilt.

Notre Dame and USC will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday in South Bend.