Notre Dame is dealt a difficult injury update, Fighting Irish offense forced to reshuffle to find replacement for vital starter

Head coach Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame football are starting to gain a ton of momentum over the last four games, all victories. The Fighting Irish began the season with a 0-2 record with losses to Miami and Texas A&M, but they are beginning to round into form. The program held some high expectations heading into the season, and they appear to be beginning to tap into their potential at the right time.

During this past weekend's 36 to 7 victory over the NC State Wolfpack, Notre Dame got off to a slower start in the first half, but really pulled away in the second. Hidden amongst the excitement of the victory and growing optimism for the season overall, starting center Ashton Craig did leave with an apparent leg injury. A pillar of a very improved Mike Denbrock offense, the staff was hoping for some good news.

That good news, unfortunately, did not come. It was feared that Ashton Craig may have suffered a torn ACL following the game this weekend, an injury that cost him the majority of the 2024 season. Coach Freeman verified that during his media availability on Monday in preparation for their home matchup with the USC Trojans. The Irish staff must now figure out the best possible replacement for Craig after he was lost for the rest of the season.

Options to replace Ashton Craig

The easiest and most practical replacement for Craig at center would be redshirt sophomore Joe Otting, who came in during the game when he was injured. Otting is a talented athlete for an interior offensive lineman at 6-3 and 308 pounds, which is valuable for Denbrock's offense that likes to get offensive linemen on the move. Otting, although inexperienced, does fit that billing perfectly.

The other option, which is a bit more off the wall, would be for starting left tackle Anthonie Knapp to move inside to center. You would then move Guerby Lambert out to left tackle, allowing Sullivan Absher to become the full-time option inside at right guard. That would only be an option you would go to if Absher is the best next option up compared to Otting. Absher has even received some practice reps at center in the past, so getting the 6-8, 326-pound behemoth on the field in some way could be the best option.

That other potential fix isn't likely to be utilized early on, if not at all. It would be interesting to see if the Irish staff does consider it if Otting struggles at all in Craig's place.

Whoever ends up being the replacement for Craig, they are going to be depended on at a high level. While redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Carr is wise beyond his years and has played extremely well for the most part, he is still a younger player. Having a stable presence that can help set the protections is paramount. That replacement will have a lot on their plate.

With Carr playing at a high level, along with superstar running back Jeremiyah Love and the rest of the Irish weapons, this Notre Dame offense is very talented. Offensive line coach Joe Rudolph will be pressed to find an answer so that the offense doesn't take a massive step back.