If your football fandom extends beyond Notre Dame, chances are you’ll be tuning into this week’s Thursday Night Football game. On the surface, it’s a typical divisional rivalry contest between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There’s extra meaning here though for Irish fans.
Two-time Irish captain [autotag]JD Bertrand[/autotag] will make his first NFL start at right inside linebacker for the Falcons. He’ll take the place of Troy Andersen, who is out after suffering a knee injury. Andersen had been starting for Nate Landman, who currently is on injured reserve with leg injuries.
Bertrand was a fifth-round selection for the Falcons in the 2024 NFL draft and the 143rd pick overall. In four games this season, he has registered two tackles.
When asked to comment, Bertand said the following:
“Any opportunity, I’m going to continue to be ready, and I think that’s been my job up to this point as a backup. If the opportunity appears Thursday, then I’ll be sure I’m ready.”
Best of luck to Bertrand as he takes the next step in his young NFL career.
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