Is Howard Cross III playing today? Injury updates for Notre Dame DL

Notre Dame defensive lineman Howard Cross III is dealing with an ankle injury. Here are the latest updates.

Notre Dame defensive lineman [autotag]Howard Cross III[/autotag] has been dealing with an ankle injury, and he’s questionable for today’s game at USC. Cross III has been a key part of the No. 5 Fighting Irish’s defense.

Howard Cross III injury update

Cross is questionable for today’s game. He is not listed on the two-deep depth chart. All student-athletes listed on the two-deep are available.

“Howard was close,” Notre Dame head coach [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] said after the Irish beat No. 25 Army last week. “He practiced some. We just didn’t feel like he could give it a go.”

How long will Howard Cross III be out?

It is unclear how long Cross will be out, or if he’ll play this afternoon at USC.

Irish linebacker [autotag]Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa[/autotag] is out with a knee sprain, and linebacker [autotag]Bodie Kahoun[/autotag] is out as well. Notre Dame wide receiver [autotag]KK Smith[/autotag] is out with a broken collarbone.

Notre Dame defensive line depth chart

[autotag]Donovan Hinish[/autotag] and [autotag]Rylie Mills[/autotag] will be expected to step up on the interior defensive line if Cross remains out.

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Notre Dame football updates its depth chart ahead of regular season finale vs. USC

There are a few changes to the depth chart, mostly on defense

As Notre Dame football prepares for its season finale against USC with the Jeweled Shillelagh trophy on the line, the Irish have updated their depth chart heading into the week of practice.

Offensively, there isn’t much change at all, as all of the starters and backups look like they are healthy and expect to play against the Trojans on Saturday afternoon.

As for the defense, that’s a bit of a different story. Starting defensive tackle [autotag]Howard Cross III[/autotag] is not listed, as he is questionable entering the contest, giving us an idea that we may not see him on the field this weekend.

Even with his big game this past weekend defensive end [autotag]Junior Tuihalamaka[/autotag] isn’t listed as a starter, instead backing up Joshua Burnham. Also missing from the depth chart is linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, who head coach Marcus Freeman told the media on Monday that he was going to out this weekend with a knee sprain. Preston Zinter has taken over his spot.

SEC analyst is high on Notre Dame football’s chances to win the CFP
Notre Dame defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka (44) celebrates getting a stop during a NCAA college football game against Florida State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend.

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Notre Dame statistical leaders through 11 games

Who leads the Irish heading into the final regular-season contest?

Notre Dame has its fate in its own hands for the College Football Playoff. All it needs to do is defeat USC, and a first-round game at Notre Dame Stadium appears to be a certainty. Who would have thought the Irish would be in such a good position after the loss to Northern Illinois threatened to derail their season early?

The Irish can’t afford to get complacent though. The Trojans have not had a great season, but dealing the Irish a loss that could threaten their playoff chances would make up for everything that has gone wrong for them. That’s why the Irish will need to prepare for them like they would for any ranked team, and the talent they have should allow them to emerge victorious.

Here are the major statistical leaders the Irish are taking into their regular-season finale. Not all of them will be available, but they’re fun to see nonetheless:

Is Howard Cross III playing today? Injury updates for Notre Dame DL

Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Howard Cross III is dealing with a left ankle injury. Here are the latest updates.

[autotag]Howard Cross III[/autotag], a defensive lineman for the No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, will miss tonight’s game against the No. 18 Army Black Knights at Yankee Stadium in New York City.

Cross missed last week’s game against the Virginia Cavaliers with a left ankle injury and now he will sit out against Army, as well.

Freshman wide receiver [autotag]KK Smith[/autotag] is also out with a clavicle injury.

All other Notre Dame student-athletes listed on the two-deep are available.

Howard Cross III injury update

Cross remains out with a left ankle injury.

With Cross out, Notre Dame will have even more of a challenge when it comes to an Army offensive line that earned praise from Notre Dame head coach [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag].

“They’re led, to me, by their O-line,” Freeman told the South Bend Tribune. “They come off the ball, they’re physical, they’re big – bigger than what you usually see when you play academy schools. They’re aggressive in the special teams. All three phases present some issues that we have to be prepared for.”

How long will Howard Cross III be out?

It’s unclear if this injury will also sideline Cross next week against the USC Trojans.

Notre Dame defensive line depth chart

With Cross out, [autotag]Rylie Mills[/autotag] and [autotag]Donovan Hinish[/autotag] will be counted on to step up and fill in.

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Marcus Freeman updates Notre Dame DT Howard Cross III status for Army

Hopefully he’s a go this weekend

While Notre Dame football has a 9-1 record with just two games left in the regular season, it has battled injuries all fall, which makes its record much more impressive.

The Irish will face the Army Black Knights on Saturday evening in what coach [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] called the “toughest challenge to date.” Unfortunately, it looks like Notre Dame might not have star defensive tackle [autotag]Howard Cross III[/autotag] for the contest.

Freeman listed the senior as questionable after he sat out this past weekend’s win over Virginia. The good news is [autotag]Donovan Hinish[/autotag] has filled in and played very well.

This is the kind of game where if Cross can get on the field, he needs to be out there. Even if he is limited to a certain amount of snaps, he’s a game-changer that will help Notre Dame. Hopefully, Cross heals during the week and we see him against Army.

Notre Dame star DT Howard Cross III’s status for Virginia has been updated
Howard Cross III #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates his sack with Rylie Mills #99 against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on Aug. 31, 2024 in College Station, Texas. Jack Gorman/Getty Images

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Is Howard Cross III playing today? Injury updates for Notre Dame defensive line

Notre Dame defensive lineman Howard Cross III is dealing with a left ankle injury. Here are the latest updates.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

No. 8 Notre Dame defensive lineman [autotag]Howard Cross III[/autotag] has a left ankle injury and will miss Saturday’s game against the Virginia Cavaliers.

The Fighting Irish have used a stout defense to push their way towards the College Football Playoff, and Cross has been one of their best, if not their best, defensive linemen all season long. His loss will hurt, though it is not expected to be long-term.

Graduate running back [autotag]Devyn Ford[/autotag] is also unavailable for today’s game.

Howard Cross injury update

Cross could return as soon as next week for the Irish’s tilt against No. 16 Army in New York.

“It’s not a long-term thing, but our doctors made the determination he’s going to be out this week,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said Monday, according to the South Bend Tribune. “We hope to get him back the following week depending on how the rehab continues to happen.”

How long will Howard Cross be out?

Cross might miss just one game, but it’s hard to say for sure.

Notre Dame defensive linemen depth chart

[autotag]Rylie Mills[/autotag] and [autotag]Donovan Hinish[/autotag]will be tasked with stepping up — Mills had a monster game last week against Florida State. [autotag]Armel Mukam[/autotag] and [autotag]Sean Sevillano[/autotag] are other depth options.

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Notre Dame star DT Howard Cross III’s status for Virginia has been updated

Not the news that anyone wants to hear

The biggest question mark following Notre Dame football’s win over Florida State is the status of star defensive tackle [autotag]Howard Cross III[/autotag].

The second-team All-American last year has been performing at an extremely high level this season, most likely heading to similar status this season. Unfortunately, Cross went down with an ankle injury on Saturday, and didn’t return to the field.

He was seen on the sidelines with a large brace on his ankle, and on Monday, head coach Marcus Freeman updated his status, as he will be out this weekend against Virginia.

It’s clearly a big loss for the Irish, but [autotag]Donovan Hinish[/autotag] played extremely well filling in for Cross. The good news is that this doesn’t seem like a long-term injury, as he is expected to suit up for the Irish in the coming weeks.

Notre Dame has shown impressive depth along the defensive line this year, and that looks like it will have to continue for at least this weekend.

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 28: Howard Cross III #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 28, 2024 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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Marcus Freeman updates Notre Dame DT Howard Cross III’s injury vs. Florida State

The Irish star defensive tackle didn’t play after hurting his ankle, but is it worse?

Notre Dame football star defensive tackle [autotag]Howard Cross III[/autotag] injured his ankle against Florida State and missed the majority of the game because of it.

The potential All-American is an integral part of the Irish defense, and losing him for any significant time would be a big loss. Following the game, head coach [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] gave everyone an update on Cross’ health, as he ruled out with an ankle sprain.

It seems like he could have come back into the game if needed, but as the game went on, it made the most sense for Notre Dame to keep him off the field.

Hopefully this isn’t a lingering injury, but you should take this as good news that if needed, Freeman would not have hesitated to put him back onto the field. Depending on his recovery during the week, it does seem as it’s still up in the air if we will see Cross lining up against Virginia as ankle injuries can be tricky.

Notre Dame is already creating playoff buzz.
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – AUGUST 31: Howard Cross III #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates his sack with Rylie Mills #99 against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on August 31, 2024 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images)

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Notre Dame vs. Florida State: Second-Quarter Analysis

The Irish are up with 30 minutes in the books.

(This story was updated to add new information).

[autotag]Jadarian Price[/autotag] wanted to finish what he started for Notre Dame late in the first quarter. On the first play of the second quarter, he ran for 65 yards and initially appeared to have just missed the end zone.

But a replay review confirmed Price had kept his foot in bounds, so he had a touchdown to extend the Irish’s lead over Florida State to 14-3.

There wasn’t a lot of action to speak of for a while after that, though the Irish’s defense had an interesting sequence. After [autotag]Howard Cross III[/autotag] went out with an injury, [autotag]Rylie Mills[/autotag] picked him up with back-to-back sacks on Brock Glenn to unseat Cross as the Irish’s sacks leader.

After getting close to Seminoles punter Alex Mastromanno a few times, [autotag]Adon Shuler[/autotag] got a piece of a punt, and that allowed the Irish’s offense to start a drive at midfield. It didn’t mean a thing though as the Irish never reached the red zone, and a [autotag]Mitch Jeter[/autotag] 42-yard field-goal attempt went wide left.

[autotag]Donovan Hinish[/autotag] recorded another sack on Glenn to force another Seminoles punt. The Irish had to start further back than before this time, and with time running out, they opted to go for it on a fourth-and-10 from the Seminoles 34-yard line after a timeout.

The Seminoles were flagged for having 12 men on the field, and the Irish  picked up a first down when Leonard completed a 22-yard pass to [autotag]Jordan Faison[/autotag]. Leonard took full advantage by promptly hitting [autotag]Mitchell Evans[/autotag] with a 12-yard touchdown.

The Irish are up, 21-3, at halftime. The way the Seminoles have played offense, that looks like a safe lead, but we’ll see.

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Notre Dame football star makes two midseason All-American teams

No one in South Bend should be surprised

It has been another big season for Notre Dame football safety [autotag]Xavier Watts[/autotag], as he has 22 tackles on the year with two interceptions and a forced fumble.

While it’s not quite what he accomplished last year en route to winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, but the Irish senior still has impressed many with his play.

It was enough for both The Athletic and CBS Sports to name him to their midseason All-American teams. It’s nice honor for Watts, although this doesn’t really count towards that status

It was a big interesting not seeing defensive tackle [autotag]Howard Cross III[/autotag] on either list, who has very similar stats to Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton who made the team.

Regardless, there is plenty of time for Cross to make up ground and for Watts to continue his high level of play to get recognized later in the season. It wouldn’t surprise me at all for both of them end up on multiple All-American teams when they are announced at the end of the season.

Day after: Final thoughts on Notre Dame’s top-25 win over Louisville
Sep 28, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) celebrates after an interception against the Louisville Cardinals in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

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