Notre Dame loses two players to surgery during training camp

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have had some unfortunate injuries in training camp in recent years.

The Irish have one of the best rosters in the country this year, and appear poised to make another deep run in the College Football Playoff.

However, one position battle took a hit in training camp, and it’s for a starting job on the offensive line.

Per a statement on X by the school, offensive lineman Matty Augustine suffered a right foot injury. Cornerback Chaz Smith suffered a wrist injury. Both players will need surgery, though they are expected to return at some point this season.

“Matty Augustine (right foot, fifth metatarsal) and Chaz Smith (right wrist, scaphoid) sustained injuries during preseason practice,” the statement reads. “The injuries will require surgery, and both players are expected to return to play this season.”

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Notre Dame’s Matty Augustine was battling to start

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Per Pete Sampson of The Athletic, Augustine was competing with Sullivan Absher for the starting right guard job. Smith, a freshman, was expected to be a “deep reserve” for one of the most talented secondaries in college football.

Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock said last week that Absher and Augustine had some “really good competition” going on during training camp. He thought the competition could continue for a third week unless the situation cleared itself up, and wanted to divide reps to give each player a chance to win the job.

“You have to be really thoughtful and intentional with how you divide the reps and the opportunities that you’re giving those guys to either prove that they’re that guy or fail enough where you got to move somebody else into that position,” Denbrock said, via UHND.com.

With Augustine sidelined due to surgery, Augustine should win the starting job at right guard for Week 1 when the Irish play Wisconsin at Lambeau Field

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