Notre Dame Tight End Mitchell Evans Is Out vs Central Michigan

Notre Dame will be without a second veteran player today in their matchup against Central Michigan. The 9th-ranked Fighting Irish won't have junior tight end Mitchell Evans, who is in the concussion protocol.

Evans had a strong performance in Notre Dame's last home game, a 56-3 win over Tennessee State. The Ohio native caught four passes for 61 yards, and he was instrumental in the two-minute drive that sparked the Irish to a 35-3 halftime lead.

Evans caught just one pass for two yards in the 45-24 win over NC State. With Evans out, sophomore Holden Staes will step into the starting lineup. Staes had the best game of his career in the win over the Wolfpack, hauling in four passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns. 

Staes has five catches on the season, but three of them have already gone for touchdowns. In fact, Staes is tied with freshman wide receiver Jaden Greathouse for the team lead in touchdown receptions (3).

Notre Dame will also be without fifth-year senior linebacker JD Bertrand, who will also miss the game while in the concussion protocol. The Irish will go a third game without junior defensive tackle Gabriel Rubio, who hasn't played since injuring a knee in the season opening win over Navy.