Notre Dame has ruled out starting linebacker Drayk Bowen for Saturday’s game against Miami because of a right ankle injury, according to FOX Sports. The injury has been described as significant, according to Yahoo Sports, and it sidelines the team’s leading tackler for one of the biggest games of the season.
No. 4 Notre Dame (7-1) hosts No. 1 Miami (8-0) on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET in South Bend, Ind. The Fighting Irish are a 2½-point underdog.
Bowen’s Status And The Ankle Injury
Notre Dame ruled out Bowen for the Miami game due to the right ankle issue. The injury has been described as significant, though no return timeline has been reported.
Bowen also carries a unique role for Notre Dame’s defense. He wears the radio helmet that relays defensive coordinator play calls from the sideline to teammates on the field, a responsibility that falls to someone else with him out of the lineup.
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman played down the impact of losing Bowen’s communication duties specifically. “Really, the coach-to-player communication is just more of a backup,” Freeman said. “But I’m expecting the stadium to be so loud that the coach-to-player communication ain’t helping anybody but the person who has the helmet on.”
Season Context
Bowen’s absence removes Notre Dame’s most productive defender from the lineup for a top-five showdown. He leads the team with 45 tackles this season, according to FOX Sports, and has recorded two pass breakups, tied for third on the roster. He also has one fumble recovery on the year.
Those numbers made Bowen a central figure in Notre Dame’s defensive game plan heading into the matchup with an undefeated Miami team. His production at linebacker, combined with his play-calling relay duties, gave him a dual role that the Fighting Irish now have to cover without him on the field.
What’s Next
Notre Dame and Miami meet Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the Fighting Irish entering as a 2½-point underdog, according to Yahoo Sports. No further update on Bowen’s recovery timeline had been reported by either outlet as of Monday.
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